The Minnesota Vikings have signed safety Harrison Smith to a contract extension.
The rising star at safety signed his five-year extension on Monday, ensuring that the issue will not hang over the franchise or the player heading into training camp in August. Smith got a $10 million signing bonus, and his new deal that includes $28.578 million guaranteed has a maximum value of $51.25 million to make him for now the highest-paid safety in the league.
In his first four seasons, Smith has piled up 402 tackles along with 12 interceptions and 5.5 sacks. He has started 52 of his 53 regular-season games and was an injury-replacement selection for the Pro Bowl last season. The Notre Dame standout also set a team record in 2015 by returning four interceptions for touchdowns.
Other 2012 rookies Jarius Wright, Rhett Ellison, Blair Walsh and Audie Cole have also been re-signed by the Vikings.
