The Minnesota Vikings have already parted ways with a couple starters, releasing both veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen and cornerback Cameron Dantzler on Friday.
Star pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith could be on the way out, as well. Reports emerged this week that Smith has asked the Vikings to be released.
Now, add another big name to the list of players whose days in Minnesota could be done.
NFL reporter Dov Kleiman cited a report from Darren Wolfson of KSTP that “signs point” to the Vikings releasing safety Harrison Smith. Smith, a six-time Pro Bowler, has spent all 11 of his career seasons with the Vikings.
Update: "Signs point" to the #Vikings cutting veteran Safety Harrison Smith, per @DWolfsonKSTP
A source told Wolfson about the Vikings cutting players situation: "It's going to continue to be a bloodbath."
Vikings already cut LB Eric Kendricks, WR Adam Thielen, CB Cam Dantzler. pic.twitter.com/dv6VqYglaJ
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 11, 2023
Wolfson also reported that “it’s going to continue to be a bloodbath” in terms of the Vikings continuing to release players. The franchise currently sits a little more than $7.4 million above the NFL’s $242.8 million salary cap for the 2023 season.
Should the Vikings cut Smith, Minnesota faithful would have to say goodbye to another longtime fan favorite. The former first-round draft pick out of Notre Dame has played 159 games for the Vikings. His 706 solo tackles rank fourth in franchise history and his 34 interceptions rank fifth.
Smith signed a four-year, $64 million contract with the Vikings in 2021. He is set to carry a cap hit of more than $19 million each of the next two seasons. Should the Vikings release Smith, it would cost them about $11.75 million in dead cap money.
Even at age 34, Smith, who made a career-high 114 tackles in 2021 and 85 last season, would likely draw plenty of interest from other NFL teams.
Plenty of eyes will be on what the Vikings decide to do with the veteran between now and the start of free agency on Wednesday.
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Publish Date:2023-03-12 03:16:04
