Minnesota Vikings: Safety Harrison Smith agrees to extension

Since coming to the Minnesota Vikings by way of Notre Dame in 2012, Harrison Smith has been one of the best safeties in the entire league. Now, the Vikings are making sure he remains in Minnesota for the foreseeable future.

Vikings and All-Pro Safety Harrison Smith have agreed to a 4-year, $64 million extension, per source. The deal makes Smith the second highest-paid safety in the NFL at the age of 32.

— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) August 29, 2021

Today, Smith and the Vikings agreed to a four-year extension, according to Mike Golic Jr. Moreover, the deal is worth $64 million, and elevates the former Notre Dame safety to the second-highest paid safety in the entire league.

Throughout his career, Smith has accumulated a number of impressive accolades. The 32-year old is a five-time Pro Bowl selection, as well as First-Team All-Pro selection in 2017. Ever since the Vikings drafted Smith with the 29th overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, he’s performed.

Last season, Smith tied his career high with five interceptions, something he’s done twice prior. Also, he started all 16 games, ending the season with 89 total tackles.

“He’s the most frustrating guy I play against.”

Over the course of his career, Smith has been a pain for Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers to deal with. As they play each other twice a year, Rodgers spoke on Smith’s ability on The Pat McAfee Show last season.

“He’s the most frustrating guy I play against with his disguises,” Rodgers said last November, per the Vikings’s website “He does so many different things from the line of scrimmage — blitz, play the curl flat in a two-invert, run back and play quarter safety, run back and play the half, run back and play the middle-field third.

“It’s a little maddening sometimes with what they do,” Rodgers added.

While Rodgers’ future in Green Bay beyond this season remains in question, Smith’s now has been answered. For at least one more season, Rodgers will have to deal with playing against Smith twice a season.

Harrison Smith’s Contract Extension

Earlier this summer, it didn’t sound like much progress was being made on Smith’s contract extension with the Vikings.

“I don’t have a solid answer for you, but obviously I’ve been here going on 10 [seasons] and would love to be here in the future,” Smith said. “Going to look at those things and see what we can do. That’s about it right now.”

Fast-forward, Smith and Minnesota figured it out, making the former Notre Dame safety’s wish come true

Furthermore, NFL insider Ian Rapoport provided the full details of Smith’s contract extension.

Full details on the #Vikings’ Harrison Smith deal:
— 4 years, $64M extension.
— Overall, 5 years, $74.83M
— Smith gets $22.5M in the next 8 month, highest in NFL history for a safety
— For 2022 to 2024, the new money average is $15.3M.
— The extension includes $26.38M guaranteed.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 29, 2021

As you can see, Smith got paid. Additionally, there’s only one safety who’s higher paid than the Vikings’ star – Jamal Adams of the Seattle Seahawks.

Still, there will be no complaining from either side. Harrison Smith got his money, and the Minnesota Vikings keep their defensive star.