The Minnesota Vikings defense will look different after Harrison Smith retires but keeping new contributors will help.

The Minnesota Vikings’ season is over after a 27-9 loss to the L.A. Rams in the NFC Playoffs, and safety Harrison Smith was among those to take it hardest after the game.

After a surprising season that ended on a sour note, the Minnesota Vikings have a number of areas to improve upon before the 2025 season.

Teammates described the relationship between Flores and Smith as like having two coaches in the room rather than coach and player.

Harrison Smith’s weekly coffee with Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell has been one part of a special season for both of them and the entire team.

Harrison Smith was fighting back tears during an emotional interview after the Vikings were dumped from ... Smith, fittingly, was Minnesota's highest-graded defensive player in the 27-9 loss.

Nov 24, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) makes a catch over Minnesota Vikings cornerback Shaquill Griffin (1) and after replay is ruled out of bounds on his left foot touching the line during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

Harrison Smith appears to see the end of his 13-year NFL career on the horizon. Following the Minnesota Vikings’ 27-9 playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Smith got emotional when speaking to ...

Unfortunately, outside of some nice memories and a place in the record books as the winningest team in franchise history to lose a first-round playoff game, 2024 will mean nothing when future fans look back into the annals of Vikings history.

After the Minnesota Vikings bowed out of the playoffs with a 27-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night at State Farm Stadium, Smith held court in the locker room after the game, gracefully answering a number of questions about the possibility of retirement.

Cam Akers: Akers served as a quality back-up to Aaron Jones, rushing for 444 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 4.3 yards per carry and coming off his second torn Achilles. He wants to be back if the Vikings will have him.