Vikings Make Major Harrison Smith Announcement Ahead of Bears Game
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith is poised to join an illustrious group during Week 11’s matchup with the Chicago Bears.
A 14-year NFL veteran, Smith is set to play in his 200th career game on Sunday at home, the team announced on Thursday, November 13. After missing the first two games of the season due to a personal health issue, Smith will become the sixth Vikings player to reach the landmark number, joining the late Jim Marshall, Mick Tinglehoff, Fred Cox, Carl Eller and Scott Studwell.
𝟮𝟬𝟬 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟮
.@harrismith22 is set to play in his 200th career game on Sunday. He will become the sixth player to reach 200 career games with the Vikings, joining Jim Marshall, Mick Tinglehoff, Fred Cox, Carl Eller and Scott Studwell.
Smith’s 200th career game is a testament to not only his sustained success over 14 seasons in the NFL but also his health and love for the game. Smith has played 13 or more games for 12 of the past 13 seasons.
Smith is the NFL’s active leader in interceptions with 37 picks in his career. This season is likely Smith’s final season as a player, with his contract set to expire next year.
How Does Harrison Smith Rank All-Time? Breaking Down the Vikings Star’s Hall of Fame Bid
Smith has had one of the most impressive runs at the safety position in NFL history, but the bar to reach the Pro Football Hall of Fame is daunting, even with his resume.
The hall of fame has a backlog of incredible talents who may never get the recognition they deserve due to the weight championships play in the selection.
Smith has the personal accolades.
“He has more sacks and interceptions than Hall of Famers John Lynch and Troy Polamalu. He has six Pro Bowls, which is more than Hall of Fame finalist Rodney Harrison, 2023 inductee Ronde Barber, 2022 inductee Leroy Butler,” Purple Insider’s Matthew Coller wrote. “No other active safety has six Pro Bowls and Earl Thomas is the only player who started post 2010 with more (7).”
The analytics show that Smith has made an immense impact on the team for over a decade. However, the Pro Football Hall of Fame has begun to narrow its classes to preserve itself as the highest honor of football.
But that won’t stop many of the game’s greats from advocating for him.
“I think he’s Hall of Fame worthy,” defensive coordinator Brian Flores told Coller. “I don’t want to say ‘cemented’ that but there should be conversation around that whenever he decides to move forward.”
Kevin O’Connell Speaks on Harrison Smith’s Impact on Vikings
To date, Smith has 1,157 combined tackles,43 tackles for loss, 20.5 sacks, 13 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries, 99 passes defensed, 37 interceptions and four pick-sixes.
But beyond the numbers, Smith has made an impact with his character on the Vikings’ organization.
“Harrison Smith is one of my all-time favorite players I’ve had the chance to be around as a coach,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said in 2024. “I feel very fortunate to have been in the head coach position with a guy like Harrison that I can build a relationship with, such experience, such an incredible presence within our locker room. He’s got a great way about him at all times that makes people around him better. I think he’s been huge in the implementation of our defense this year with Flo [Brian Flores] and D.J. [Daronte Jones] and those guys on that side of the ball. I’ve been really happy with the way Harrison has really attacked his role within the defense, but also the value of him as a captain and a leader of our team. I just can’t say enough about what he’s meant to me, what he’s meant to this organization.”
Luther Burden III will have his breakout game against Minnesota
A few weeks ago, I called my shot and said that Kyle Monangai would have his breakout game against the Bengals
I've seen more than enough from Olamide Zaccheaus. At the same time, on a
Burden hasn't had a ton of opportunities to shine this season. He's received only 18 targets in a crowded receiver room. However, there's no denying that he's made the most of them, catching 16 passes for 222 yards thus far. The numbers become even more impressive when broken down further.
Caleb Williams has a 136.6 passer rating when throwing Burden's way. That is ridiculous. Do you know what else is ridiculous? The 21-year-old has caught all 16 of the catchable passes thrown his way. He's also
Burden's numbers obviously jump off the screen, but he's arguably been even more impressive when it comes to the eye test. He's made plays whenever he's been on the field, and even shows up when the ball isn't in his hands. He's clearly bought into the "no block, no rock" mindset.
The Bears landed a steal in the second-round selection. I can't wait for them to unleash him to his full potential. Ben Johnson recently hinted at the potential of showcasing the University of Missouri product more.
“It's the trust level between the quarterback and a receiver," said Johnson. "He’s been very productive when we’ve been able to get the ball in his hands, and there’s a strong argument that we should get it to him more.”
We saw him play a season-high 49% of the snaps last week against New York. That felt like a ramp-up game. It also seemed significant that he was the only player who caught a pass on the team's game-winning drive (Williams only attempted one pass, but the fact remains).
He has yet to have a game with more snaps played than Zachheaus this season, but I think a changing of the guard is coming in that regard. He's undeniably the better player, and the Bears have their most difficult stretch of the season coming up. They need to get their best players on the field and playing as much as possible.
Burden's breakout game is right around the corner. In fact, I think it'll be this Sunday. I think he'll be a major factor against Minnesota.
