{"id":210703,"date":"2025-01-16T12:30:06","date_gmt":"2025-01-16T17:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=210703"},"modified":"2025-01-16T12:16:33","modified_gmt":"2025-01-16T17:16:33","slug":"harrison-smith-retirement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/01\/16\/harrison-smith-retirement\/","title":{"rendered":"“Chill Out” NFL Icon Hints at Retirement – Ravens, Chiefs May Bring Him for One More Ride"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former six-time Pro Bowler safety Harrison Smith<\/a> hints at retirement after his emotional post-game conference after the loss against the Los Angeles Rams. According to reports<\/a>, the veteran icon will take some time away from football to think about his future playing in the league. Originally selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, the former Notre Dame product spent his entirety with the Minnesota Vikings, recording 37 interceptions, 20.5 sacks, eight fumble recoveries and 1,028 total tackles. Smith doesn’t want to think about what the future looks like<\/a> but it’s understandable considering the Vikings had the momentum heading into the postseason in their hands under quarterback Sam Darnold.<\/a><\/p>\n

This leaves Smith to think about whether it’s worth going another couple of seasons in the league. Smith was Minnesota’s best PFF grade, helping the team be a part of the NFC title game after the Minnesota Miracle in 2017. The veteran said the 2024 campaign was the best one in his career despite the circumstances of not competing in the Super Bowl. The Vikings have several free agents this March, including Smith but if this was his last season, he will go down as one of the best safeties of all time next to Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed. However, the veteran should probably have a few more runs before he hangs up his cleats.<\/p>\n

If he stays in the league, he should receive some type of market in free agency. Two contender teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens should be the rosters that finally help him reach a Super Bowl ring in his hand.<\/p>\n

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\ud835\udde7\ud835\udde5\ud835\uddd8\ud835\udde1\ud835\uddd7\ud835\udddc\ud835\udde1\ud835\uddda: Veteran #Vikings<\/a> S Harrison Smith says he will take some time to \u201cchill out\u201d before making a decision on his future moving forward, he told @KFAN1003<\/a> <\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t wanted to think about it, kinda selfishly just live in the moment. I\u2019m kinda still in that moment.\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/Wym9WXrzyl<\/a><\/p>\n

— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) January 16, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n