Vikings safety Anthony Harris inks franchise tender
Sean Borman
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On Sunday, Minnesota Vikings safety Anthony Harris signed his franchise tender, officially placing him under contract for the 2020 season. Harris will make a guaranteed $11.441 million on the tag.
Courtney Cronin of ESPN confirmed the news after Harris posted the following message on social media earlier in the day.
Ready for another journey…Just so it’s no question what my expectations are and what type of energy I’m bringing for 2020… ??? Let’s Go!!! pic.twitter.com/ZasJ0yAyes
— Ant Harris (@HOOSDatDude) May 17, 2020
Harris is just the third player in team history to receive the franchise tag. Linebacker Chad Greenway (2011) and tight end Jim Kleinsasser (2003) are the only other recipients.
Harris, 28, enjoyed a breakout season in 2019. He tied for the league-lead in interceptions with six, recorded his first career touchdown, piled up 60 tackles and broke up 11 passes. He was ranked as the number one safety in the league out of 86 safeties by Pro Football Focus.
Alongside Pro Bowler and fellow homegrown safety Harrison Smith, Harris and Smith form the highest-graded safety duo in all of football. For a team with so much youth in the secondary, including seven rookies, the Vikings will be able lean on the tandem for guidance and leadership moving forward.
As Harris noted in his post, his agents will continue working with the Vikings on a long-term extension. The deadline for such an agreement is July 15th at 3pm CST.