Minnesota Vikings Announce The Return Of A Six-Time Pro Bowler

The Minnesota Vikings have certainly had a newsworthy offseason so far. Of course, the biggest headline was the loss of quarterback Kirk Cousins to the Atlanta Falcons on a whopper of a four-year deal that includes $100 million guaranteed.

While that left an obvious hole a quarterback, which they will partially fill with veteran Sam Darnold, the Vikings did make some noise by fortifying their defense with the signings of free agent edge rushers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, as well as linebacker Blake Cashman.

On Wednesday, the Vikings made another move to benefit their defense next season and it's one that Vikings will certainly be very excited about.

Mulitple sources are reporting that Safety Harrison Smith, the team's longest-tenured player, has agreed to restructure his contract and will return for a 13th season with the team.

The six-tim Pro Bowler's Smith's contract originally called for him to earn $15.3 million and count $19.2 million against the salary cap, but those numbers were placeholders following a previous restructuring that paved the way for him to play in 2023.

Smith earned $8 million for the 2023 season and last season, and after Wednesday's restructuring, he will reportedly earn $9 million next season.

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Once the news broke, the Vikings posted a past video of Harrison Smith discussing his love of the game.

Smith, 35, was the second of the Vikings' two first-round draft picks in 2012. He has 34 career interceptions, which ties him with former Viking Patrick Peterson for the highest total since 2012. Under defensive coordinator Brian Flores, he could break that tie in 2024.

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