Harrison Smith’s status remains in limbo: he might return to the Minnesota Vikings for Year No. 15, or he may quietly retire. The defense won’t quite look the same if Smith retires, and in fact, the Vikings haven’t played a regular season game without him somewhere on or near the roster since 2011.
And according to Ben Leber, a former Viking, outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel could be the next man up as the “smartest player on defense” if Smith doesn’t partake in the 2026 season.
It’s Van Ginkel as the Main Brain
Leber on Van Ginkel
Leber regularly releases Vikings-themed content on YouTube, and last week, the defense, and Van Ginkel in particular, crossed his radar.
“Outside of Harrison Smith, who currently is not on the team, the way I understand the guys on defense, Van Ginkel is the smartest guy on the field defensively outside of Harrison Smith. So now he might be the smartest defensive player that we have right now,” Leber declared.
“And that says a lot because I think Cashman’s extremely smart. I think Eric Wilson is extremely smart.”
Smith, of course, has been considered the maestro, boss, and straw that stirs the drink on defense for the Vikings for over a decade, but six months into the offseason, the 37-year-old has not expressly retired or stated his plans to return. So, in Leber’s estimation, Van Ginkel is the new chief executive officer.
Leber added about Van Ginkel, “You don’t get all those interceptions at the line of scrimmage without watching film, watching film the right way, understanding in real time how they’re trying to affect you and when these types of plays are coming.”
Few Will Debate It
This take will not garner serious blowback – – from anybody. Van Ginkel is close to universally loved in the Twin Cities, making an astounding first impression after he ripped a couple picks from the sky and returned them for touchdowns in 2024. He also has long hair like a real-life Viking, which does not hurt his case in the court of public opinion.
Van Ginkel does a little bit of everything in Brian Flores’s defense, so when ex-players – – linebackers, no less – – call Van Ginkel “the new smartest player on defense,” fans nod in approval.
Van Ginkel Also Needs a Contract Extension
The 31-year-old – – avert your eyes – – is also scheduled for an off-ramp next offseason. If Van Ginkel is not offered an extension by new general manager Nolan Teasley, he’d hit the open market next March and almost certainly have a bevy of suitors.
Therefore, after Minnesota extended right tackle Brian O’Neill’s contract on Tuesday – – four years and $96 million – – Van Ginkel feels like a logical “next man up.” The Vikings suddenly don’t have extraordinary outside linebacker depth in 2026 or beyond; extending Van Ginkel could be a key priority before the start of the regular season.
An extension for Van Ginkel might look something like $50 million over the next two seasons or a deal in that ballpark. If that doesn’t materialize, the Vikings, in theory, would embark on the 2027 offseason with fourth-year EDGE Dallas Turner as the only starter in the roster orbit. Sketchy outside linebacker depth would be a brave new world for the Vikings.
First Season as the Clear Veteran Lead EDGE
It’s also worth noting that Van Ginkel is more important to Minnesota’s defense than ever. Gone is OLB1 Jonathan Greenard, who the Vikings traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in April, along with a 7th-round pick, for two 3rd-round selections. Van Ginkel and Turner will headline the OLB section of the depth chart, and Van Ginkel is the only one of the pair who’s shown sustainable success in the NFL. Van Ginkel essentially transformed from OLB2 to OLB1 on April 24, 2026.
Thankfully, he’s the smartest Vikings defensive player, per Leber. He should have the stomach for the promotion.
The Vikings’ first preseason game is 17 days away.
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VikesNow Verdict: Van Ginkel’s value has always extended beyond sacks and splash plays. With Smith’s future uncertain and Greenard gone, his football intelligence could matter more than ever.
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