With Harrison Smith mulling retirement and the Vikings having several defensive free agents, this pending free agent safety could be a bigger priority then some want to admit.

Minnesota Vikings pending free agent safety Harrison Smith is heading into the offseason with with bookkeeping to do.

Last offseason he pondered his future and decided to return. Now he’s more than 12,000 snaps into his career, and there’s one more difference: “I’m older.”

A 2021 fourth-round pick, Bynum is coming off two impressive seasons under defensive coordinator Brian Flores. He totaled 233 tackles, five interceptions, 19 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries between the 2023-24 seasons.

Vikings' Harrison Smith opens up on playing his final game in Brian Flores' defense next to Josh Metellus, Camryn Bynum in loss to Rams

Not only did the Minnesota Vikings lose brutally to end their season against the Los Angeles Rams, safety Harrison Smith received a fine from the National Football League of $45,020 for unnecessary roughness.

Vikings veteran Harrison Smith admitted he's unsure about returning for a 14th season in an emotional locker room interview.

The Minnesota Vikings defense will look different after Harrison Smith retires but keeping new contributors will help.

Harrison Smith was fighting back tears during an emotional interview after the Vikings were dumped from the playoffs by the Rams on Monday night.

Smith finished the 2024 season with 87 tackles (56 solo), including 1.0 sacks, 10 pass breakups, including three interceptions, and one fumble recovery across 16 regular-season contests. The 29th overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft,

Teammates described the relationship between Flores and Smith as like having two coaches in the room rather than coach and player.

The Vikings need help on the interior offensive and defensive lines and in the defensive backfield. Can they find it in free agency?