Harrison Smith just inked a one-year, $12.25 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings, and get this, he is expected to be on the field against the Green Bay Packers this coming Sunday for their Week 1 clash. Talk about a wild turn of events before the season even truly kicks off!
The Surprise Return of an All-Pro
Can you believe it? The guy who was an All-Pro for the Vikings in both 2017 and 2018 is back in the purple and gold. Minnesota actually released Smith at the start of the new league year in 2026, so this swift reunion is a total shocker. The deal is worth $12.25 million, but it could hit $16.25 million with incentives, which is a pretty sweet setup for a guy who knows the system. Smith has been playing under defensive coordinator Brian Flores since Flores got the job in 2023, so he’s not exactly going to be lost out there. He knows Flores’ defense inside and out, which means he can make an immediate impact.
The “Other” Thomases and a Week 1 Hurdle
It’s interesting because the Vikings tried to fill the safety void after letting Smith go earlier this year. They drafted Jakobe Thomas in the third round of the 2026 draft in April and then snagged undrafted rookie Jacob Thomas, who actually visited the Packers pre-draft, after that. Both of those guys made Minnesota’s initial 53-man roster, which is cool for them, but now the OG is back. For the Packers, this is a seriously significant storyline heading into their Week 1 showdown. Smith’s return is a massive hurdle Green Bay has to figure out if they want to grab that first win against their divisional rival.
This Week 1 battle between these divisional rivals just got a whole lot spicier. Can Smith instantly lift Flores’ defense and put a serious hurdle in front of the Packers’ opening day hopes? Sunday’s game is going to be must-watch.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Acme Packing Company.
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