It’s been quite strange to see number 22 trot off and on the field various times throughout a game. For the first 13 seasons of his career, Vikings safety Harrison Smith had pretty much always played when the defense was asked to get the ball back. This season, however, has been a different story.
Vikings Star Has Yet to Return to the Starting Lineup
Smith, 36, is one of the league’s oldest non-quarterbacks, and it’s not too surprising to see his snaps reduced a little. Perhaps more astonishing is that he’s not just getting occasional breaks; he’s basically a rotational player now.
The career Viking missed the final weeks of training camp due to an unspecified and mysterious illness. He was then forced to sit out the season opener against the Chicago Bears and the Week 2 game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Smith returned in Week 3 and played in the last three games, logging a total of 68 defensive snaps. He has yet to record a start. The only other time he participated in a game he didn’t start was in 2013 when he, too, returned from an injury. Currently, his stats show 195 career games with 191 starts. Three of those non-starts came in 2025.
In his first game back, Smith played 22 defensive snaps, followed by 17 and 29. The percentages of defensive snaps with Smith on the field have developed from 39% to 32% and 41%.
Kevin O’Connell said last week, “I think he’s going to get pretty close to that normal workload and that will allow us to be a little more versatile with Josh [Metellus], kind of some of the ways we’ve played historically personnel wise, and allow guys to really fit into roles that are pretty powerful for us.”
Ultimately, Smith remained in an on-off role. Instead, it’s Joshua Metellus and Theo Jackson playing the entire slate of snaps in the secondary. Last year’s other starting safety, Cam Bynum, departed for Indianapolis in free agency.
BREAKING: Sam Darnold Defends Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Performance: “Music Should Bring Us All Together”
In a world where Super Bowl halftime shows are often as talked about as the game itself, Bad Bunny’s performance at this year’s big game was no exception. But amidst all the praise and criticism, one voice stood out in defense of the superstar reggaeton artist: Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold. His unexpected comments on the performance have sparked a whirlwind of conversation, with fans and media alike questioning the deeper message behind his endorsement.
“Music isn’t just entertainment, it’s about uniting us,” Darnold boldly stated. His defense of Bad Bunny, who performed at the Super Bowl, came as a shock to many. As a football player, Darnold is no stranger to being in the spotlight, but this moment shifted the attention off the field and onto his perspective about the power of music and cultural influence.
What made Darnold’s words even more striking is the way he connected them to the broader theme of unity. “Bad Bunny’s performance wasn’t just a show. It was a celebration of culture, something that brought people together from all walks of life,” Darnold explained. “That’s what music does — it transcends boundaries and creates a shared experience. That’s what we need more of, especially in today’s world.”
Darnold’s passionate stance on music’s ability to unite people left many wondering: is there more to this defense than just supporting a fellow performer? What does it reveal about Darnold’s personal values and his views on the role of cultural moments in society? Could it be that Darnold is signaling his support for more inclusive, diverse expressions of art, both on and off the field?
In an era where athletes are often expected to stay in their lanes, Darnold’s comments break the mold, showing that there’s room for influence outside of football. His endorsement of Bad Bunny challenges the perception of sports figures as merely entertainers, urging fans to consider them as individuals with a broader view of the world.
As the conversation continues, one thing is clear: Sam Darnold has given us a new way to think about the power of culture and music. His words may just change how we view moments like the Super Bowl halftime show — and maybe, even the role athletes play in shaping conversations about unity and representation.
