EAGAN, Minn. — There wasn't much hemming and hawing by The Hitman.
Harrison Smith told Twin Cities media members Monday that it didn't take as long for him to decide on a 14th season as it did the previous spring. Even as early as Minnesota's postseason loss to the Rams, he had the pull to return.
"I kind of had a feeling," he said. "I was like, 'It's probably not the last time I'll put on pads.' "
There's simply unfinished business.
In Head Coach Kevin O'Connell's first three seasons at the helm, he's built a foundation that Smith noted includes a strong locker room culture and deeply talented roster.
Now it's time to dial it up a notch.
"There's a foundation that's been set that, you can notice it — things operate pretty smoothly, and the people here are giving high-level effort and winning a lot of ball games," Smith said. "But there's another level that we need to get to, and in this business, you have to do it right now.
"It's not like, 'Oh, you know, year one was good. Let's just keep trying,' " Smith continued, imitating a timid, soft-spoken voice. "It's got to happen right now. I think moving forward, that emphasis of, 'Turn it up a little bit to a level we haven't been before' — that is necessary to get where we want to go."
If anyone has perspective on the Vikings preparedness to take it to the next level, it's a player of Smith's caliber with 192 regular-season games under his belt.
Those who know him understand Smith isn't the type to preach at younger players or hold his experience over their heads. But he won't shy away from organically imparting wisdom, either.
Smith referenced the varying processes, philosophies and success rates from teams over his 13 seasons in purple, including "the ones that have been always ready to strike." He's taken proverbial notes, and he's seen what it takes to find success.
"I haven't won a Super Bowl, so do I have the credibility to speak on that? [But] I know how to win, that's for sure," he said. "I think there's a balance, as a guy in my position, whether it's advice or whatever, I'm always trying to figure out a better way to do stuff.
"I don't have all the answers, but I have a couple," Smith added.
And it's a big part of the reason O'Connell, Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores are so grateful to have The Hitman hanging around.
Adofo-Mensah spoke with media members last week and said it's tough to articulate just how invaluable it is to have Smith in the building; O'Connell echoed those thoughts Monday and joked he could hold an entire press conference to cover Smith's impact on him as a young head coach.
O'Connell called him a "major pillar" of the team, as well as an extra resources for coaches.
"I consider him somebody I wholeheartedly trust with our team, and his interpretation of how I'm reaching the team," O'Connell said. "He means the world. I think when you look at some of those impactful veteran guys we brought back — Harrison Smith, Aaron Jones, Byron Murphy, these guys that really want to be a part of the team and really want to … continue to chase what we're all here chasing — these are the right kind of guys to do it with, and it starts with Harry."
Smith also commented on the benefit of re-signing Murphy and Jones, two players who add to the roster's experience and high character, as well as the multiple additions Adofo-Mensah and O'Connell brought in during the offseason.
"There's a lot of good people in this organization, and guys who do it the right way," Smith said. "That doesn't mean, like, just a bunch of nice guys. It means guys who come in and put in work and do it to win and to elevate others around them.
"It's not like a kumbaya session," he quipped, "which I think gets confused sometimes."
It may not be all roses and rainbows, but for Smith, putting in work for respected teammates and coaches is well worth the daily grind.
This season will mark his third with "Coach Flo'," whom Smith said has already floated the idea of coming back for another campaign in 2026.
"He was already, like, 'Maybe 15 years,' " laughed Smith. "But playing for Flo' is a blast, and it's very demanding, physically and mentally. But … that was another thing that made it easier to come back, is to the day-to-day, especially with Flo' and how we do things. It's just super productive and thoughtful, as far as how we're attacking, and that's the stuff I enjoy."
He also appreciates the defensive free agent additions that include veterans like Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen up front.
"On paper, it looks pretty outstanding," he said. "So that's another thing where I'm talking about, if I want to play, it's pretty good to have a bunch of guys up front that cause problems; it makes things a lot easier on the back end.
"You're always going to lose guys and gain guys," Smith added, "But from what it looks like, we've done ourselves some favors. We have a chance here."
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