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NFL

Vikings sign Harrison Smith to contract extension

By FoxSports
Published | Updated
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Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith against the New York Giants at TCF Bank Stadium.

The Minnesota Vikings have signed Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith to a contract extension, the team announced Monday morning.

Multiple outlets reported that the deal is for five years. Smith will become the highest-paid safety on a per-year basis, FOX Sports 1's Mike Garafolo reported.

"It's very hard to put into words right now," Smith said in a video released by the Vikings. "Coming into the league, getting an opportunity, getting drafted by Rick (Spielman) and being able to stay around here . . . it's huge in every type of way that I can think of."

"(I) couldn't imagine a better place to play, a better organization to be a part of, and I just can't say enough about how blessed I am to stay here."

Smith made 66 tackles (49 solo), intercepted two passes and scored a touchdown in 13 games for the Vikings this past season, earning his first Pro Bowl nod. In 2014, he started every game, making 92 tackles (71 solo) and intercepting five passes.

The 27-year-old has played in 53 regular-season games since the Vikings drafted him in 2012, making 320 tackles (241 solo), intercepting 12 passes and scoring four touchdowns.

The Vikings drafted Smith in the first round out of Notre Dame with the 29th-overall pick. He is only NFL player since 2012 with more than 300 tackles, five sacks, 10 interceptions and four interceptions for a touchdown.

Smith becomes the fifth player from the Vikings 2012 Draft class to re-sign with the team, along with Jarius Wright, Rhett Ellison, Blair Walsh and Audie Cole. The Vikings picked up the fifth-year option on left tackle Matt Kalil, the third-overall pick, but have not extended his contract past 2016.