The Minnesota Vikings announced on Sept. 5 that safety Harrison Smith is returning for his 15th NFL season.
The former Knoxville Catholic star signed a one-year contract reportedly worth $12.25 million with incentives up to $16.25 million that will bring the 38-year-old back to Minnesota for the 2026-27 season.
Smith has spent his entire career in Minnesota since being selected No. 29 overall by the Vikings in the 2012 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame. His resume includes six Pro Bowls, 39 interceptions — most among active NFL players — and 21½ sacks.
It appeared this offseason that Smith's career may have been over. He was released in March and made no public indication of his future plans, plus the Vikings signed safety Jamal Adams to take his place.
But after Adams suffered a season-ending torn right quadriceps tendon in the preseason, the safety spot opened back up and Smith was available to fill it.
Smith graduated from Catholic in 2007. He was the Tennessee Gatorade Football Player of the Year as a senior in 2006 after totaling 1,793 all-purpose yards on offense with 19 rushing touchdowns, six receiving touchdowns, 61 tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. He also played basketball and ran track.
Emmett Siegel covers Tennessee baseball for Knox News. Email: emmett.siegel@knoxnews.com; X: @EmmettSiegel_
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Former Catholic star Harrison Smith returns to Vikings for 15th NFL season
