Anthony Harris signs franchise tender

Just before the offseason got underway, the Minnesota Vikings made safety Anthony Harris just the third player in franchise history to be given the franchise player tag. After that, speculation was running rampant that the Vikings were looking to trade the man that went from being an undrafted free agent in 2015 to the practice squad and now one of the best safeties in the National Football League.

That speculation can officially come to an end, as Harris has signed his franchise tag for the 2020 season, a move that will give him a salary of right around $11.4 million for this year.

Harris celebrated the move on his Instagram just a short while ago.

The statement in Harris’ post reads as follows:

Since arriving in Minnesota with uncertainty as an undrafted free agent in 2015, I have accomplished my dream of playing in the NFL going from the practice squad to the active roster, to becoming a full-time starter to leading the league in interceptions. During the past five years, Minnesota has become home and is where I want to continue to develop as a player having only scratched the surface!

Although it has been a strange offseason, time spent in isolation with family has been refreshing and energizing. This is just one step in God’s plan for me and my family. I will let my agents and the Vikings work towards long term certainty in Minnesota, but I am excited to be back for the 2020 season.

I am continuing my focus on what it takes to be successful both as a team and as an individual. I am excited for the new challenges that the 2020 season will bring, but I am most excited for the opportunity to help bring a Super Bowl to Minnesota and the best fans in the country.

With Harris officially back in the fold, the Vikings will continue to field the best safety duo in the National Football League in Anthony Harris and Harrison Smith. With the youth and inexperience that the Vikings are going to have at the cornerback position this coming season, leadership and guidance from those two outstanding safeties will be paramount in helping to get the young players adjusted to the National Football League.

Congratulations to Anthony Harris on making his return to Minnesota for 2020 official!