The scene looked like a continuation of Snoop Dogg’s lavish halftime show. Vikings safety Harrison Smith stood next to teammates wearing Santa-like red robes. A large dollop of fake snow rested on Smith’s head. He tore into a large chunk of meat provided by the Netflix hosts, and gazed around U.S. Bank Stadium, knowing he might have only one more game remaining in his career.
On Dec. 25, in a 23-10 victory over the Lions, Smith didn’t just turn back the clock. He might have reset it.
In the penultimate game of what has been a quietly effective season, Smith made loud noises, producing a sack, two tackles for losses, an interception and three passes defended. He looked like he was 25 instead of 36. He looked like the kind of guy you’d want around for more than a few days of the 2026 calendar year.
So as Smith fought back tears during an emotional postgame interview, I asked him if recent events could persuade him to play one more season. He knocked down the question as if it were a pass from Lions quarterback Jared Goff, saying he wanted to stay “in the moment.”
I think Smith should come back.
Am I a prisoner of the moment?
When the moment is this good, yes.
Smith had an undisclosed ailment that robbed him of preparation time this summer and in training camp, and he wasn’t much of a factor early in the season. I figured the Vikings should have spent their money elsewhere, instead of providing a farewell tour for a great player.
