Vikings' beloved safety gets Hall of Fame projection that fans won't like at all

The Minnesota Vikings have likely seen Harrison Smith play his last game with the team during the 2025 NFL season. He's not officially retired, but it's looking like that's his plan.

He could come back for another season or so, but more likely than not, the beloved defensive back is retiring from the NFL. His next stop could be the Hall of Fame.

However, according to ESPN's Bill Barnwell, Smith is projected to miss out on the Hall of Fame, which would surely not sit well with Vikings fans hoping to see their franchise legend make it into the Hall of Fame.

Harrison Smith projected to miss out on Hall of Fame

"Missing out: Harrison Smith," Barnwell writes. "Smith probably will land in the Hall of Very Good based on his existing resume. Though he was a consistently impactful safety in Minnesota and made it to six Pro Bowls, Smith was a first-team All-Pro only once."

Barnwell doesn't believe that Smith is headed to the Hall of Fame, thanks in part to his lack of first-team All-Pro nods. He might've been a top safety in the league during his career, but he was only the top guy one time based on All-Pro voting.

Smith was a six-time Pro Bowler, an All-Pro twice, one time a first-teamer, and the second time the following 2018 season as a second-teamer.

During his 14-year career, all with the Vikings, Smith recorded 21.5 sacks, 1,180 tackles, 51 tackles for loss, 45 quarterback hits, 39 interceptions, four pick-sixes, and 106 passes defended in 207 games played.

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It's a very impressive resume, and it deserves recognition as one of the best safeties of the modern era. But when it comes to making the Hall of Fame, that might prove to be a challenge.

Based on Barnwell's analysis, Smith's Hall of Fame odds aren't great in large part because he didn't have a very high peak.

He might've been great for a long time, but his peak wasn't very high, and it didn't last a very long time either.

Had he put up six-plus interceptions a few times during his career and earned a couple more All-Pro nods, then his odds to be a Hall of Famer might be better.

It's not impossible, but it's looking like a long shot at this moment, considering Barnwell's projection that, unfortunately, is an understandable one for the beloved Vikings legend.

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