HH. BREAKING: The Vikings just dropped a massive Harrison Smith bombshell ahead of their showdown with the Bears — and fans are saying this “changes everything.”

Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith is poised to join an illustrious group during Week 11’s matchup with the Chicago Bears.

A 14-year NFL veteran, Smith is set to play in his 200th career game on Sunday at home, the team announced on Thursday, November 13. After missing the first two games of the season due to a personal health issue, Smith will become the sixth Vikings player to reach the landmark number, joining the late Jim Marshall, Mick Tinglehoff, Fred Cox, Carl Eller and Scott Studwell.

𝟮𝟬𝟬 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟮

.@harrismith22 is set to play in his 200th career game on Sunday. He will become the sixth player to reach 200 career games with the Vikings, joining Jim Marshall, Mick Tinglehoff, Fred Cox, Carl Eller and Scott Studwell.

Smith’s 200th career game is a testament to not only his sustained success over 14 seasons in the NFL but also his health and love for the game. Smith has played 13 or more games for 12 of the past 13 seasons.

Smith is the NFL’s active leader in interceptions with 37 picks in his career. This season is likely Smith’s final season as a player, with his contract set to expire next year.

How Does Harrison Smith Rank All-Time? Breaking Down the Vikings Star’s Hall of Fame Bid

Smith has had one of the most impressive runs at the safety position in NFL history, but the bar to reach the Pro Football Hall of Fame is daunting, even with his resume.

The hall of fame has a backlog of incredible talents who may never get the recognition they deserve due to the weight championships play in the selection.

Smith has the personal accolades.

“He has more sacks and interceptions than Hall of Famers John Lynch and Troy Polamalu. He has six Pro Bowls, which is more than Hall of Fame finalist Rodney Harrison, 2023 inductee Ronde Barber, 2022 inductee Leroy Butler,” Purple Insider’s Matthew Coller wrote. “No other active safety has six Pro Bowls and Earl Thomas is the only player who started post 2010 with more (7).”

The analytics show that Smith has made an immense impact on the team for over a decade. However, the Pro Football Hall of Fame has begun to narrow its classes to preserve itself as the highest honor of football.

But that won’t stop many of the game’s greats from advocating for him.

“I think he’s Hall of Fame worthy,” defensive coordinator Brian Flores told Coller. “I don’t want to say ‘cemented’ that but there should be conversation around that whenever he decides to move forward.”

Kevin O’Connell Speaks on Harrison Smith’s Impact on Vikings

To date, Smith has 1,157 combined tackles,43 tackles for loss, 20.5 sacks, 13 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries, 99 passes defensed, 37 interceptions and four pick-sixes.

But beyond the numbers, Smith has made an impact with his character on the Vikings’ organization.

“Harrison Smith is one of my all-time favorite players I’ve had the chance to be around as a coach,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said in 2024. “I feel very fortunate to have been in the head coach position with a guy like Harrison that I can build a relationship with, such experience, such an incredible presence within our locker room. He’s got a great way about him at all times that makes people around him better. I think he’s been huge in the implementation of our defense this year with Flo [Brian Flores] and D.J. [Daronte Jones] and those guys on that side of the ball. I’ve been really happy with the way Harrison has really attacked his role within the defense, but also the value of him as a captain and a leader of our team. I just can’t say enough about what he’s meant to me, what he’s meant to this organization.”

Eagles may have found Kevin Patullo’s replacement before he’s even gone

Just a season removed from being one of the most explosive units in recent memory, the Philadelphia Eagles’ offense has become an anchor pulling the team away from the dominance their roster is capable of. Understandably, offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo has taken most of the heat for the change in production. His overly conservative play-calling and inability to maximize the talent at his disposal have led Eagles fans to call for his job.

While it’s just Patullo’s first season in the position, it wouldn’t be shocking if a team with consistent championship aspirations chose to cut ties with an underperforming play caller. There aren’t any excuses for fielding a dysfunctional offense with this level of talent.

If the Eagles do choose to move on from him, recently fired Brian Daboll could quietly be the perfect replacement.

Brian Daboll could be Eagles’ perfect Kevin Patullo replacement

Daboll’s tenure with the New York Giants was rocky at best. After three and a half seasons as their head coach, the Giants fired him this week. He was able to lead an effective offense with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, but being a head coach requires much more than that. Per reports, the coach’s aggressive personality rubbed people within the organization the wrong way. Those divides, along with multiple blown leads this year, led to his firing.

While he might not be fit to be a head coach in the NFL, Daboll could still be an impactful offensive coordinator. Able to focus on one side of the ball, the coach’s weaknesses would be covered up. He demonstrated his ability to lead a potent offense with the Buffalo Bills before being hired by the Giants. In fact, he was a crucial part of Josh Allen’s development early in his career.

There are some clear reasons why Daboll would be a risky hire for the Eagles. His explosive personality could clash with Nick Sirianni’s, as both coaches are known to be intense on the sidelines. Fans in Philadelphia may be hesitant to hire a coordinator who failed with a division rival.

However, the former Giants’ head coach would likely be able to get the most out of the Eagles’ talent in a way that Patullo has struggled to. And if the hire worked out, Eagles fans would have yet another claim to bragging rights over Giants fans. It would certainly be a risky hire, but the reward can’t be beat.