The Detroit Lions are in the middle of an important offseason. While they need to fill the holes that prevented them from making the playoffs a year ago, it’s also interesting to see what the Lions' NFC North counterparts are doing to stay ahead of them in the standings in 2026.
One of the most interesting division rivals is the Minnesota Vikings.
After losing to Minnesota twice last year, the Lions will look to avenge those defeats next season and could have help if the Vikings trade star pass rusher Jonathan Greenard. Another factor is the status of safety Harrison Smith, who is contemplating retirement after 14 seasons with the team.
If the Lions were hoping that Smith would ride into the sunset, they may have received some bad news on Thursday when Smith was named as an injury replacement for Derwin James at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic. While it’s not an official indication that he’ll be returning, it seems like an odd choice for a guy who would be walking away from the game, and it could keep a Lions headache as they look to rebound next year.
Harrison Smith’s Return Could Make Lions Rebound Much Tougher in 2026
A six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro selection, Smith has long been a terror in the NFC North and has stepped up when facing the Lions. In 26 career meetings against Detroit, he has more total tackles (155) against Detroit than against any other opponent during his career, and his five interceptions are second to the Green Bay Packers (6).
There’s also the effect that Smith’s return could have on the Vikings’ plans for next season.
Smith is a versatile chess piece for linebacker Brian Flores and gives them experience in a secondary that doesn’t have a clear successor. While it was possible the Vikings could have replaced Smith with a rookie like Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman, who is currently projected to go to Minnesota with the 18th overall pick in NFL Mock Draft Database’s consensus mock draft, Smith’s return could put them in a different direction or even entice the Vikings to jump the Lions in a trade-up past the 17th overall pick.
While Smith would be entering age-37 season, it’s probably something the Lions don’t want to deal with.
Jared Goff’s eight interceptions were his lowest total since the 2021 season, but he’ll be learning a new scheme under new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. Although Detroit has plenty of weapons to overload Smith, having a ballhawk who is the NFL’s active leader with 39 interceptions is an inconvenience for a Detroit team looking to climb the NFC North standings.
If Smith’s foray into flag football gets his juices going, there’s a good chance he could return to Minnesota. And it would give the Lions another problem to deal with as they head into next season.