The Minnesota Vikings will face significant turnover in the coming offseason, some by necessity and some by choice.
Six-time Pro Bowler and longtime starting safety Harrison Smith is unique, in that he potentially falls in the latter category, though the decision to depart the team will more likely be his than it will be Minnesota’s — should the defensive back decide to hang up his cleats prior to his age-37 campaign in the NFL.
Alec Lewis of The Athletic examined Smith’s current circumstances and also noted a few possible replacements for him, including safety Jay Ward — who is already on the Vikings’ roster — and Bryan Cook of the Kansas City Chiefs via free agency next March.
“Smith, who has looked healthier over the last few weeks and more like his dominant self, might be nearing the end of the road,” Lewis wrote. “The Vikings have given 2023 fourth-round pick Jay Ward more opportunities in the back half of this season. He could push to cement a role.”
“The Chiefs’ Bryan Cook, Quentin Lake of the [Los Angeles] Rams and Alohi Gilman of the [Baltimore] Ravens will be available,” Lewis continued. “Could the Vikings select another safety in the first round? It might be a worthwhile question if Ohio State’s Caleb Downs is available.”
Cook, 26, represents a potentially monster investment, with Spotrac projecting his market value at nearly $57.5 million over a new four-year contract. But he’s also one of the best safeties in the game, ranked sixth overall out of 99 qualifying players at the position in 2025 by Pro Football Focus.
Vikings Face Large Salary Cap Deficit Next Season, Can Still Afford to Keep Harrison Smith
GettyMinnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith.
Smith is under contract through 2026 at an exceedingly reasonable number, with a base salary of just $1.3 million and a prorated bonus of $3 million.
His potential retirement is out of Minnesota’s hands, but Smith has played his entire 14-year career with the franchise. The Vikings will save only $1.3 million against the salary cap by cutting him with a post-June 1 designation, and the defensive leadership and locker room presence that Smith brings is probably worth more than that on its own, to say nothing of what he’s still capable of doing on the field.
Minnesota is going to face some tough personnel decisions due to its current $36 million cap deficit in 2026, which probably means a goodbye to the likes of defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and running back Aaron Jones.
But Smith doesn’t fall into that category, even though the Vikings owe him money through 2029 due to contract restructures and cutting Smith next summer would save the team $6 million against its 2027 cap.
Caleb Downs Could Prove Game-Changer for Vikings, Though May Be Out of Reach in 2026 NFL Draft
GettyOhio State safety Caleb Downs.
Minnesota has spent high picks on defensive backs multiple times over the last several drafts, yet still remains low on high-end talent and depth across the secondary.
With other obvious needs, fans may be somewhat loathe to see the team go with a DB again in the first round. However, Caleb Downs is the type of playmaker with the ability to quickly change minds.
Field Yates of ESPN predicted in his initial mock draft of the year that Downs will land with the Rams at No. 9 overall. If the season ended today, the Vikings would not select until the 15th pick.
“Downs has played in an NFL scheme at Ohio State for much of his college career; he can handle coverage deep in the middle of the field and be a menacing force in the box,” Yates wrote.
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