Vikings safety Harrison Smith is going to play football. The central caveat is that it’s flag football and will take place tomorrow.
On social media, the word emerged of The Hitman jumping into action: “Derwin James suffered a minor injury earlier in the week prior to reporting to the Fanatics Flag Football Classic. As a precaution, 6x Pro Bowler Harrison Smith will step in for Wildcats FFC.”
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Harrison Smith, Flag Football Player
Take the update at face value: Harrison Smith is playing a day of flag football. Nothing particularly noteworthy all on its own.
What makes things a touch more fascinating, though, is the context surrounding the all-time great. He has recently been cut (post-June 1), meaning Smith is no longer a Vikings employee. But, to be sure, there’s a chance that he does return. The veteran is taking his time, some well-earned downtime to restore his body and replenish his mind.
Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) teammates greet him on the sideline against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Very wisely, the Vikings are keeping the door open.
Mr. Smith’s willingness to jump into action — if only within the context of some weekend flag football — has caught people’s attention. Alec Lewis, Vikings writer for The Athletic, dropped down the double-eye emoji. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert offers a perspective, “This event features a mix of retired and active players, so the inclusion of Harrison Smith means that everyone will be right no matter what they choose to read into it.”
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Mike Florio covers the news for Pro Football Talk.
“Smith was a six-time Pro Bowler. He landed on the All-Pro first team in 2017 and the All-Pro second team in 2018,” Florio explains. “He joins the Wildcats team captained by Jayden Daniels and Joe Burrow in Saturday’s three-team flag football tournament. Earlier this month, the event was moved from Saudi Arabia to Los Angeles.”
Dec 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) warms up before the game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.
As things stand, the Vikings’ safety position is sitting in a reasonably strong spot.
Leading the crew is Josh Metellus, the 28-year-old defender who is the obvious replacement for Harrison Smith. Metellus, like the elder statesman, is a great leader and communicator. So, too, is he physical and versatile, capable of dropping down into the box while playing deep down the field. Again, like Smith.
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Rounding out the crew is Theo Jackson (27), Jay Ward (25), Tavierre Thomas (30), and Kahlef Hailassie (25). Essentially, a nice blend of youth and experience, but a group that would benefit from the infusion of high-end talent. More than a few mock drafters have whispered about Dillon Thieneman being the Vikings’ opening-round selection.
Swirling around all of those things is the Harrison Smith mystery. In theory, he could play anywhere he wants, but he’s a Viking.
Nov 13, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Gabriel Davis (13) makes a catch against Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports.
Whether he plays for the Vikings in 2026 remains to be seen. No doubt, though, that adding him would be a nice boost for a Vikings team that’s desirous of winning it all as soon as the upcoming season. Best guess on this end of the internet is that he decides to give things one more try due to Minnesota keeping Brian Flores and signing Kyler Murray.
Before too long, Harrison Smith will get elected into the Hall of Fame. He turned 37 in February.
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