Harrison “Hitman” Smith is officially back for Year 15 with the Minnesota Vikings, signing a one-year deal worth $12.25 million that can escalate to $16.25 million with playoff incentives. Mike Garafolo confirmed Smith’s Week 1 play, a massive sigh of relief for a team that barely let the ink dry on its initial 53-man roster before tearing it apart within 24 hours.
The Return of the “Hitman”
This isn’t just some feel-good story; it’s a critical move for a safety room that was paper-thin. With Jamal Adams lost for the year, Theo Jackson battling a leg injury, and both Jakobe and Jacob Thomas nicked up, the Vikings desperately needed a veteran presence. Smith, even at 37, remains the NFL’s active interceptions leader. He’s also the only player in the secondary besides Josh Metellus who can audible out of coverages late in the play clock, a skill that’s absolutely invaluable. As Darren Campbell put it, “Bringing back Harrison Smith bolsters that depth,” and you can feel the impact of that depth immediately.
Roster Whirlwind And The RB Battle Heats Up
The “roster churn” is an understatement for what happened in Minnesota. The Vikings wasted no time adding offensive linemen Trevor Keegan and Nick Samac off waivers, while cutting Max Brosmer and Dillon Bell only to re-sign them to the practice squad. Then there’s the running back situation, which the unofficial depth chart lists as a co-starter situation between Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. Darren, however, made a strong case for Jones opening as 1A, pointing to his receiving abilities and pass blocking. Those are two things that have earned Kevin O’Connell and Wes Phillips’ trust. Mason out-rushed Jones by 210 yards last season but only caught 14 passes. The trust factor for Jones is huge here, especially early in the season.
Veteran Depth and Unsung Heroes
The Vikings weren’t done adding veteran savvy. They also signed 35-year-old edge rusher Kyle Van Noy to the practice squad. While the hosts endorsed adding a veteran, they questioned the timing. “They got to add a veteran with some track record,” Darren argued, noting that other targets like Jadeveon Clowney and Von Miller had already signed elsewhere. Van Noy’s 2025 PFF grades (63.0 overall, 51.8 pass rush) raise a few eyebrows, but his familiarity with Flores is a definite plus. And let’s not forget the snubs: Andrew Van Ginkel and Brian O’Neill were left off ESPN’s Top 100, with Darren quipping, “If Brian O’Neill was on the Dallas Cowboys, he’d be All-Pro every year.” It’s an early season reminder that some players fly under the radar. With Week 1 confirmed for Smith and a roster still finding its footing, all eyes are on how these late moves will shape the Vikings’ early season performance. You gotta wonder if this churn is the key to unlocking their full potential or if it’s just a temporary fix. Let’s see what happens.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Daily Norseman.
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