Andrew Buller-Russ
The 2026 Minnesota Vikings will have a different feel when they take the field for the first time. While they weren’t one of the many teams that made a head coaching or coordinator change, the team’s roster will be much different.
Last year, they were starting a second-year quarterback with zero NFL playing experience in J.J. McCarthy. This year, that job is expected to belong to former No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray.
But more than the offense, the defense will be vastly different. It starts in the trenches, where Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave are gone. Now, the Vikings will be breaking in a pair of rookie defensive tackles in Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange alongside Jalen Redmond.
Yet, the biggest change overall may reside in the secondary after 14-year pro Harrison Smith was released from the roster. The one-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl safety has been said to be considering retirement for several seasons now, and at 37, it may be time to walk away.
However, recent comments from Vikings rookie third-round safety Jakobe Thomas suggest that Smith has been around the facility as of late. Thomas may even be hinting at Smith returning to the playing field for the Vikings in 2026.
“We’ve had a little bit of contact, recently,” Thomas said. “We talked a little bit…(I’m) ready to meet him in person again and just connect with him, and soak up as much as I can from him.”
Earlier, coach O’Connell said, “It’s good for Jakobe to be breaking news here on his first day.”
So, what was KOC alluding to? Is Smith getting ready to play a 15th season in the NFL now that the Vikings have a former Pro Bowl QB again? Or was the breaking news simply the fact that Smith has already been mentoring the Vikings’ rookie safety, and that he may be considering a coaching role in Minnesota?
Related: Minnesota Vikings ‘Believe They Got a Steal’ With NFL Free Agency Signing
