He may still return to the Minnesota Vikings in 2026, but for the first time ever, safety Harrison Smith has been released. As a procedural matter on Wednesday, Minnesota cut Smith, who has yet to decide whether to return or retire.

Smith could still return, but the Vikings finally opened the door to a real transition plan.

Had Smith informed the team he planned to return for Year No. 15 before Wednesday, the Vikings could’ve merely reworked his contract. But Smith still needs time to lock in his choice.

Harrison Smith Release Isn’t the Final Word

Fans await Smith’s official “yes or no” on 2026.

On Paper, Vikings Release Smith

At this precise moment, Smith is no longer a Viking.

Vikings.com’s Craig Peters broke the news on Wednesday, “The Vikings on Wednesday announced a post-June 1 release of safety Harrison Smith. The procedural move, which spreads a cap hit over two seasons, does not indicate where Smith is at in his decision of whether to return for a 15th season in Minnesota.”

“The 37-year-old passed the 200-game threshold in 2025 and has started 203 of 207 regular-season games since joining the Vikings as a first-round pick in 2012. Smith has 39 career interceptions, the most among 2025 active NFL players, and 21.5 sacks.”

Star Tribune‘s Ben Goessling added via tweet, “The Vikings will release Harrison Smith with a post-June 1 designation today, per source. It’s a procedural move, since Smith had a $25 million base salary guarantee for 2027 that was set to trigger later this week, but the Vikings would still welcome his return and they’ve talked with him about the move.”

“Smith has not made his decision about whether he’ll play a 15th season; this move will give him time to consider the choice while freeing a roster spot.”

Think of it this way: if Smith opts for retirement, March 11th will be the day that Minnesota formally cuts ties; if he returns, March 11th will mean nothing.

Smith Is “50/50”

Smith sure sounded like a man on the verge of retirement in early January. Vikings fans actually had a farewell party for Smith in Week 18 when his team toppled the suddenly lowly Detroit Lions. He said after the game that he was “leaning one way” on retirement or a return, but left the door open — somewhat cryptically.

Fast forward to March, and Smith is still undecided. One source told VikingsTerritory last week that Smith was “50/50” about returning and that he “has a hard time walking away.”

Kevin O’Connell said in December that he wanted Smith back: “I’ve been nudge-nudging and kind of catching him, picking my spots to keep on saying, ‘I know you’re having a lot of fun doing it. One of the best to ever do it in this uniform, man. He’s remarkable. He’s one of my absolute, all-time favorites.”

In fact, Smith seemed to get better as the 2025 campaign wore on. He battled a mysterious ailment to start the season but finished the year on a high note with a couple of interceptions.

Waiting on the QB Outcome?

On the other hand, perhaps Smith cannot stomach the idea of Minnesota winning a Super Bowl without him the moment he retires. In that vein, he may be watching the team’s quarterback decision — just like you — weighing the realism of hoisting a Lombardi next season with J.J. McCarthy at the helm versus somebody else.

Meanwhile, on the same day that Minnesota “released” Smith, the Arizona Cardinals cut Kyler Murray after seven seasons, and he’s now tentatively expected to sign a one-year deal with the Vikings, so long as the Pittsburgh Steelers don’t have a trick up their sleeve.

There’s a small chance that Smith sees the eventual Murray signing — the writing is on the wall for it — and presses the go-button on his final season in 2026. Minnesota won nine games last year with the league’s fifth-worst quarterback production. Murray could be the main elixir.

The Safety Need Question as a Matter of Roster Planning

The 2026 NFL Draft is expected to offer a strong class of safeties, making it a good opportunity for teams seeking talent at the position. With several proven veterans also potentially available, teams will have options. Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman would make sense in Round 1 as a direct Smith replacement.

Keep an eye on younger vets like Jaquan Brisker, too, from free agency, who remains available at the time of this article’s publication.

For the Vikings, planning for the future beyond Smith is a pressing concern. While Smith could return for a 15th season, perhaps in a limited role, the Vikings must prioritize their long-term strategy in the coming weeks. Their past decisions, such as allowing Camryn Bynum to leave last offseason, should serve as a cautionary example.

If Minnesota decides to secure its future at the safety position, the time is now. It’s an offseason priority whether Smith stays or goes.

Should Smith return and play at least five games, he will pass Carl Eller and Fred Cox on the Vikings’ all-time games played list, leaving the franchise for good with the third-most behind Jim Marshall and Mick Tingelhoff.

Just weeks after joining the U.S Men’s Olympic hockey team in the locker room to celebrate their Gold Medal victory in Italy, FBI director Kash Patel is celebrating what he sees as another athletic milestone.

“I’m thrilled to announce this historic seminar between the FBI and the UFC at Quantico,” said Patel in a statement released today by the UFC. “This is a tremendous opportunity for our FBI agents to learn and train with some of the greatest athletes on earth — helping the world’s premier law enforcement agency be even better prepared to protect the American people.”

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The training will provide insight into UFC fighters’ training methods as well as fighting techniques and tactics. It will take place at the FBI Special Agent Academy in Quantico on March 15 and 16 and is for “academy students as well as senior FBI staff from around the world.”

Patel first floated the idea in a teleconference with the heads of the FBI’s 55 field offices just after he took charge at the Bureau last year.

UFC CEO Dana White is a longtime supporter of President Trump, having spoken at the RNC in 2024 and at Trump’s victory rally in 2025. The duo have also announced a UFC fight at the White House on Trump’s birthday.

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Patel was effusive in his praise for White and his organization.

“Dana White has changed the game in the mixed martial arts industry and we’re extremely honored to be partnered with him, the professionals, and the UFC,” said the FBI director. “We are grateful for their shared love of our nation, so that we can better defend her.”

Per a UFC press release, the effort is “part of an overall initiative by the FBI to provide its agents with exciting, innovative training options and to constantly look for opportunities to revamp and improve their preparation.”

Among the fighters involved are current interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethe, the first UFC BMF champion Jorge Masvidal, former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman, former UFC strawweight title challenger Claudia Gadelha, former UFC lightweight title challenger Michael Chandler, top UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape and mixed martial arts legend Renzo Gracie.

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“I have tremendous respect for the FBI and the work they do every day to protect this country,” said White. “It’s an incredible opportunity for our athletes…and we’re proud to support the FBI in strengthening their defense techniques.”

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WNBA fans are so happy to see Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese playing together for Team USA in the 2026 FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament. Clark and Reese helped the United States win its first game of the tournament on Wednesday against Senegal.

Late in the fourth quarter, Clark and Reese were on the floor together to finish the game. Reese was at the free-throw line to shoot two shots, making the first one. She reached out to get daps from her teammates, including the Indiana Fever guard who ran all the way from the other side of the court.

Reese finished the 110-46 win with six points, eight rebounds and two assists in 17 minutes. Clark dropped a double-double in her first competitive game since July, when she re-aggravated a groin injury. She had 17 points and 12 assists in 19 minutes.

WNBA fans were happy to see the chemistry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. While the media has dubbed them rivals on the court, their respective fan bases have made things a little heated. But now that they’re teammates in Team USA, it’s been all love from their supporters.

Here are some of the comments on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Caitlin Clark and Team USA are back in action on Thursday, when they take on host Puerto Rico. It should be noted that the United States has already qualified for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup. They are using the qualifying tournament to develop chemistry among their young prospects.

Team USA coach comments on Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese senior debut

Six players made their senior debut for Team USA on Wednesday against Senegal: Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, Kiki Iriafen, Monique Billings and Rae Burrell.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Team USA coach Kara Lawson was happy to see the debutants get some action. Clark, Reese and Bueckers are three of the best young players who are tipped to represent the nation for years to come. Even Iriafen could be part of the national team in the long run.

“It’s an exciting day when you get to make your debut for the U.S. Women’s National Team,” Lawson said, according to ESPN. “I thought they played well. I don’t think you would have noticed that it was their debut. I thought they came in and had the appropriate level of respect for the game.”

Burrell and Billings were replacements for Sonia Citron and Aliyah Boston, who had to withdraw due to injuries. Citron and Boston should also be long-term members of Team USA for the next decade or so.