The Chicago Bears are looking to keep the top spot in the NFC North next season, but for now, they’re watching all of their rivals try to catch up. Perhaps no divisional foe has been more aggressive than the Minnesota Vikings, who have signed Kyler Murray to battle J.J. McCarthy as part of a quarterback competition and could trade Jonathan Greenard in an effort to accumulate draft capital and close the gap in 2026.
Although the Bears still figure to have the upper hand, that advantage could narrow if Harrison Smith returns for a 15th season.
The 37-year-old is currently weighing that decision after he was designated as a post-June 1 release by the Vikings earlier this month. However, Smith may have laid a big clue about his future when he was named as an injury replacement for Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James for the Fanatics Flag Football Classic on Thursday.
Stepping into a highly-competitive flag football tournament, which will take place on Saturday in Los Angeles, may be a new way for Smith to ease into retirement. But as an eye emoji from The Athletic’s Alec Lewis suggests, it could be enough to get the competitive juices flowing and allow him to continue being a thorn in the Bears' side next season.
Harrison Smith’s Return Could Be a Big Bears Problem in 2026
Smith has been a problem for the Bears since coming into the NFL as the 29th overall pick in the 2012 draft. He is the NFL’s active leader with 39 career interceptions and has been a six-time Pro Bowl selection and a two-time All-Pro selection.
While Smith’s resume is impressive, he’s turned it up a notch when he plays the Bears. In 23 career meetings, Smith has racked up 114 total tackles and grabbed five interceptions. Only the Green Bay Packers (6) have thrown more passes to Smith during his career, and his return could be something that makes the Vikings that much tougher to deal with as the Bears defend their title.
If Smith retired, it would leave a big hole in Brian Flores’s defense. NFL Mock Draft Database’s consensus mock draft currently has Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman projected to the Vikings with the 18th overall pick, and his 58% projection rate is the third-highest behind No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza to the Las Vegas Raiders (100%) and No. 2 overall pick Arvell Reese to the New York Jets (82%).
But even if Thieneman is a fit, it would be a big drop-off going from a potential Hall of Famer to a rookie.
This could also affect the Bears, with how Smith’s return could alter the Vikings' offseason plans. If he is in the fold, the Vikings could pivot to another high-profile need, such as wide receiver or cornerback, which could make Minnesota more difficult to deal with.
With two meetings against the Vikings next season, the Bears would probably rather send Smith a congratulatory fruit basket for his retirement than see him on the field. However, Smith’s participation in Saturday’s tournament could be a sign he’s ready to return, giving Chicago something to consider as they continue to prepare for next season.