Overview
- Minnesota moved to process the post–June 1 designation on Wednesday as the new NFL league year opened.
- Reporting characterizes the step as procedural with Smith’s contract set to void later this week.
- Smith has not announced retirement, and the Vikings are open to re-signing him if he chooses to play in 2026.
- The move removes his current salary from the books and leverages June 1 rules to manage dead-money timing.
- A franchise mainstay since being drafted 29th in 2012, Smith has appeared in 207 games and recorded 39 interceptions for Minnesota.