The Vikings fielded a strong group of safeties in 2024.

Harrison Smith returned for his 13th season and later described the position room as among the most talented he'd been a part of since being drafted by Minnesota in 2012.

Smith played more than 1,000 defensive snaps for the seventh time in his career and second straight season under Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores. His 1,062 snaps played tied with Dallas' Malik Hooker for the 21^st most among safeties. Smith also snagged at least three interceptions for the eighth time in his career.

Alongside Smith again were Camryn Bynum and Joshua Metellus, who continued to create challenges for opposing offenses … and followed up takeaways with creative celebrations that went viral.

Bynum intercepted a career-high three passes and also recorded a career-high 10 passes defensed, surpassing his previous benchmark (2023) by one.

Metellus received a run-defense grade of 83.1 analytics site Pro Football Focus, which ranked 13^th among all safeties. His 87.0 tackling grade ranked seventh overall. The 2020 sixth-round draft pick once again proved to be a Swiss Army knife in Flores' system, showing up all over the field throughout the season.

Theo Jackson impressed during Vikings Training Camp, making multiple highlight-reel plays on the practice fields at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center, but patiently bided his time behind the more experienced trio of safeties ahead of him. Jackson contributed heavily on special teams, where he played 340 snaps, and he stepped in admirably for an injured Smith at Seattle (more on that later).

Jay Ward also played mainly on special teams during his second pro season, logging 314 snaps there and just a handful on defense.

Bobby McCain spent most of the 2024 campaign as a veteran presence on Minnesota's scout team but saw action in three games, including Week 16 at Seattle when he helped cover for Smith's absence.

Notable Numbers

37 – Smith now has 37 career interceptions, tying him with Vikings Ring of Honor safety Joey Browner for the fourth most in franchise history. Paul Krause (53), Bobby Bryant (51) and Ed Sharockman (40) lead the way for Minnesota.

77.6 – Bynum allowed a passer rating of 77.6 when targeted, a number much improved from his previous low (98.9) in his three seasons as a full-time starter. According to PFF, Bynum was credited with two allowed touchdowns.

1,192 – Metellus played 991 defensive snaps and an additional 201 on special teams, making his total snap count (1,192) the highest of any other Vikings player on the roster.

The Highest High

When Jackson and McCain were called on to step in for Smith against the Seahawks, they answered the bell.

The hard-fought game came down to the wire on a rainy December afternoon, and it was Jackson who intercepted Geno Smith to seal a Vikings 27-24 win on the road.

"I'm just as surprised as y'all are," Jackson laughed after the victory. "We ran a 2-high, and I saw [Geno] throw it. I was kind of confused myself as to why he threw it, but I'm gonna catch the ones he throws to me.

"It was just super exciting afterwards," he added, somehow smiling even bigger. "I'm just, like, I'm still coming down off that adrenaline."

Jackson's defensive teammates were elated to see their comrade make a big play — something they've often witnessed during practices — and help the Vikings net a regular-season win in Seattle for just the second time since 2006.

The Lowest Low

Minnesota controlled its destiny entering Super Wild Card Weekend, but the team fell short against the Rams and saw a special season come to an abrupt end.

The Vikings defense struggled to slow down an L.A. offense led by Matthew Stafford, who finished the outing with two touchdown passes and a 117.7 passer rating. On the ground, Kyren Williams led the way with 16 carries for 76 yards rushing.

While Bynum, Metellus and Smith all logged pretty solid PFF grades throughout the season, all three hit rough patches in the playoff contest. Per Pro Football Focus, the Rams had 55 yards after contact and six missed tackles forced after a rush. Metellus and Bynum were given overall defensive grades of 39.6 and 46.4, respectively. And while Smith's overall grade of 72.8 was much better, he received a 44 in tackling.

2 Pressing Questions for 2025

1. Will The Hitman return for Season 14?

Will Vikings fans get another year with Smith?

"The Hitman" may not even know that answer himself. An emotional Smith spoke with Twin Cities media members following the postseason loss and said consideration on hanging up his cleats will come at a later time.

Smith, who turns 36 on Sunday, pondered retirement last spring but instead agreed in March to a restructured contract that kept him in Purple.

"My life's different," the father of two said. "I'm older."

Whether or not Smith walks away, the impact he's made on younger teammates is undeniable.

"He changed my life," Metellus said. "I wouldn't be the player I am today without his leadership, experience, work ethic.

"If he's on to the next chapter of his life," Metellus added, "he'll still be a part of mine."

2. Will the Vikings re-sign Bynum?

Time flies when you're having fun, and Bynum finds it hard to believe he's already facing free agency for the first time of his pro career.

But it's true; the 2021 fourth-round draft pick is due to test the waters when the New League Year opens in March. Bynum has openly expressed he'd love to say in Minnesota if the situation allows.

Worth noting is that Jackson also is due to become a restricted free agent. Will the Vikings re-sign only Bynum or Jackson? Will they look at retaining both? Will neither return?

Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and his staff, including Executive Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski, will have lots of decisions to make in the coming weeks on more than 20 Vikings reaching the ends of their contracts.