Minnesota Vikings Make Harrison Smith NFL's Highest-Paid Safety

For the Minnesota Vikings, it was never a matter of if they were going to sign star safety Harrison Smith to a long-term contract extension, but when.

"When" has apparently arrived at Winter Park.

According to Andrew Krammer of 1500 ESPN, the Vikings have signed the NFL's best safety to an extension that will make him the NFL's richest safety.

Source: #Vikings made Harrison Smith the highest paid safety in the league on a five-year deal averaging $10.25M

— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) June 6, 2016

Smith was one of the Vikings' two first-round picks in the 2012 NFL Draft, with the Vikings moving back up to select him at #29 overall. In his first four NFL seasons, he has proven to be a versatile part of a rising Minnesota defense, proving equally adept at run support and pass coverage. He's missed several games with injuries over the past few seasons, but there's no denying the impact that he's had when he's been on the field.

According to Krammer, Smith's extension will be tacked onto the end of his current contract, meaning that he is now under contract to the Vikings through the 2021 season.

Congratulations to Harrison Smith on a well-deserved contract extension and the honor of being the highest-paid player at his position in the NFL.