The Minnesota Vikings have a long list of great players who have come through the organization, including Cris Carter, Randy Moss and John Randle. The team is now embarking on a new era with Justin Jefferson leading the way, with J.J. McCarthy set to be under center for the foreseeable future.
Although it has been a bit of a youth movement in Minnesota for the last few years, the Vikings still have a legend patrolling the secondary, with veteran safety Harrison Smith, who decided to come back for another season with the franchise.
Apparently, there’s quite a story about how Smith chose to return for another year, involving head coach Kevin O’Connell.
Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell Reveals Secret Agreement With Harrison Smith
GettyHead coach Kevin O’Connell of the Minnesota Vikings greets Harrison Smith #22 of the Minnesota Vikings.
Apparently, Smith had one condition that he needed to be met by O’Connell before he committed to returning for the 2025 NFL season. O’Connell revealed what Smith’s request to Pete Schrager of ESPN was, and it’s not what you might think, but it makes sense.
“We signed a little separate agreement between him and I, little handshake agreement, if he gets bed checked he’s got a fine system in place… (Harrison says) ‘If you wake me up, on Monday morning I’m coming for your wallet.’”
Smith seems to prioritize a good night’s sleep over anything else, which makes a lot of sense for a player playing such a physically demanding position on the defensive side of the football. Also, he’s playing in his 14th season in the NFL at the age of 36.
Much-Needed Bye Week for Vikings
GettyJustin Jefferson of Minnesota Vikings.
The first five games of the 2025 NFL season have been as challenging for the Vikings as any team in the league, with Minnesota dealing with injuries to key players, including McCarthy, and a two-game road trip overseas.
Fortunately for Minnesota, the team has been able to endure a tough stretch to start the 2025 campaign. Veteran quarterback Carson Wentz has proven to be better than expected while filling in for McCarthy, which was perhaps the biggest question mark for this team over the past few weeks.
The Vikings will now head into their bye week in Week 6 sporting a 3-2 record and a second-place standing in the NFC North division behind the Detroit Lions. Although Minnesota is far from being a perfect team at the moment, O’Connell’s squad has shown potential to be a legitimate threat in the NFC moving forward, especially when McCarthy returns healthy, as he could become the missing piece to the puzzle.
Obviously, it will be tough moving forward, with the Vikings having to contend with the Lions, Green Bay Packers and potentially frisky Chicago Bears squad, who might be starting to figure things out with new head coach Ben Johnson calling the shots.
In Week 7, the Vikings will resume their season against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, which could pose the biggest challenge of the 2025 campaign thus far.
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