Another Stunning Vikings Release Could Be on the Way
Dustin Baker
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The Minnesota Vikings released Eric Kendricks on Monday, Adam Thielen and Cameron Dantzler on Friday, and more players could be on the way.
Last week, with free agency on the horizon, the franchise faced the league’s third-grimmest salary cap situation, so roster moves were inevitable and will continue.
Another Stunning Vikings Release Could Be on the Way
Following the releases of Thielen and Dantzler, though, the granddaddy of them all could be next in terms of surprise — safety Harrison Smith.
VikingsWire‘s Judd Zulgad tweeted Friday, “A new Scoop with Darren Wolfson to be posted today on SKOR North — Lead Vikings note was that as of noon it appeared to be trending toward Harrison Smith being released. As Doogie said, it’s very fluid and there have been ongoing talks, but the Vikings brass isn’t playing around.”
Smith has been a member of the Vikings since 2012 and is the longest-tenured player — by far — on the roster. Most fans believed Smith would “be safe” when Minnesota began roster cuts because his skillset should fit adeptly within Brian Flores’ new defense. But the issue, for now, is price.
The 34-year-old has a scheduled $19.1 million cap hit in 2023, the third-largest on the team behind quarterback Kirk Cousins and right tackle Brian O’Neill. Smith likely expected some type of contractual restructure this offseason, but an outright, ghastly paycut proposal might be declined.
One source told VikingsTerritory the trade pay reduction request is around $8 million, a non-starter for Smith — for obvious reasons. Cutting Smith before June 1st would incur an $11.7 million dead cap against the Vikings books, with $7.3 million cap savings. After June 1st, the numbers change. The dead cap would be $3.9 million, with $15.2 million in cap savings.
Smith was the NFL’s 37th-best safety in 2022, according to Pro Football Focus, but the Vikings defense often looked clumsy without him. And with Lewis Cine injured for the season early in October, Minnesota would’ve been down to nubbins without Smith on the depth chart.
If a Smith release does materialize, signing a safety in free agency or drafting one in the NFL draft may increase with urgency. Life without Smith would entail a healthy and prosperous Cine this September, which leaves a lot to chance. Smith’s 2022 running mate at safety, Camryn Bynum, was decent in his second year as a pro but wasn’t considered by most a standout performer.
The situation does have a silver lining, however. The Vikings want Smith back, and he wants to return to the Vikings. The price tag is the snag at the moment. Other players, like Za’Darius Smith, flatly announced exit strategies this week. Smith isn’t one of those.
Whichever outcome arises, the Vikings and Smith will likely decide before Monday, March 13th, when the “legal tampering” phase of free agency begins.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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