NFL · Sunday, September 6, 2026
Harrison Smith is back. A 15th season in purple.
The File desk · Sep 6, 2026, 2:04 PM UTC
Status
Confirmed as the Vikings’ announcement of the return. Contract dollars are Partially confirmed: NFL.com citing Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, “per sources.” Vikings.com does not state the dollar figure.
- Confirmed
On Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, the Minnesota Vikings said safety Harrison Smith is returning for his 15th season after agreeing to terms on a deal. Vikings.com dated the story 6:49 p.m. Smith has started 203 of 207 regular-season games for Minnesota, with 1,180 tackles, 39 interceptions, and 21.5 sacks, per the team. NFL.com Week 1 hub: Packers at Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 13, 4:25 p.m., CBS.
- Partially confirmed
NFL.com said NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported a one-year contract worth $12.25 million with a maximum of $16.25 million including playoff incentives, per sources. Vikings.com does not print that figure.
Harrison Smith is coming back. The Vikings said so Saturday at 6:49 p.m. A 15th season. He has started 203 of 207 regular-season games. The club lists 1,180 tackles, 39 interceptions, and 21.5 sacks. Reporters, citing sources, put the one-year deal at $12.25 million, up to $16.25 million. The team page does not print the dollars. Green Bay is at Minnesota on Sept. 13, 4:25 p.m., CBS. No odds. No picks.
Harrison Smith is coming back.
The Minnesota Vikings said so Saturday, Sept. 5, at 6:49 p.m. A 15th season. The club wrote that “Harrison Smith’s still got juice in the tank, and he's returning for his 15th season in Vikings Purple after agreeing to terms on a deal with the team Saturday.”
He has started 203 of the 207 regular-season games he has played. The team lists 1,180 tackles, 39 interceptions, and 21.5 sacks.
NFL.com called him a six-time Pro Bowler. Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, on NFL Network, put the one-year deal at $12.25 million, with a maximum of $16.25 million including playoff incentives, per sources. Vikings.com does not print those dollars.
Green Bay comes to Minnesota on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 4:25 p.m., on CBS.
The same National Football League Week 1 slate, fetched Sept. 6: Patriots at Seahawks, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 8:20 p.m., NBC; 49ers at Rams, Thursday, Sept. 10, 8:35 p.m., Netflix, in East Melbourne; Cowboys at Giants, Sunday night, 8:20 p.m., NBC; Broncos at Chiefs, Monday, Sept. 14, 8:15 p.m., ESPN. This file prints no odds and no picks.
What is still unknown or disputed
- Vikings.com did not publish the $12.25M figure.
Primary sources
Every claim in this story is drawn from the documents below. If a fetch failed, that is recorded on the card.
Source 1
Harrison Smith Returning to Vikings for Season 15
Minnesota Vikings (vikings.com) · September 5, 2026
returning for 15th season after agreeing to terms Saturday.
https://www.vikings.com/news/harrison-smith-return-safety-15-season-nfl-2026
Source 2
NFL Network: Harrison Smith returns for 15th season with Vikings on one-year, $12.25M deal
NFL.com · September 5, 2026
team announced Saturday; Rapoport/Garafolo: one-year $12.25M, max $16.25M with playoff incentives, per sources.
https://www.nfl.com/news/harrison-smith-vikings-return-15th-season-one-year-deal
Source 3
NFL Schedules 2026 REG1
NFL.com · September 6, 2026
Packers at Vikings Sunday September 13th, 4:25 PM, CBS; Week 1 prime-time/international slate.
https://www.nfl.com/schedules/2026/REG1