Category: KEVIN O’CONNELL

With the Vikings opening training camp in a few days, the Harrison Smith watch will prompt even more attention from fans and media.  Will the 37-year-old safety and 14-year-veteran play another season in Minneapolis?

Smith and the Vikings leadership have been quiet about his future. A former leader with NFL front offices who knows about Smith and Viking head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke to Sports Headliners about the situation.

While acknowledging he doesn’t know if Smith will retire or join the team in training camp, he believes both Smith and O’Connell know what the decision is.  “They’re just not saying,” the source said.

“…I suspect he’ll come back for one more year, but it wouldn’t surprise me either way,” he added.

The source believes if there is a return, Smith will be back in time for the two joint practices with the Ravens August 19 and 20. The Vikings will host the Ravens for scrimmages at TCO Performance Center, prior to their August 22 preseason home game against the Baltimore-based team.

Those practices are important to Minnesota’s preparation for the regular season and the authority referred to them as a “tipping point” during training camp.

The authority, who personally hopes Smith will play at least another season, said it’s clear to him that the Vikings want the six-time Pro Bowler to return, and that despite his age the veteran is still more than capable of playing at a high level.  “I think they need him back. I think they’re a little thin at quality safeties.”

Smith is still athletic and able to run with younger rivals.  Those skills haven’t deserted him like others who are moving toward their late 30’s.

And then there’s Smith’s high IQ for the game.  He’s a defensive professor on the field knowing where to line up and getting his teammates adjusted if necessary.  He can jump around and move before the snap, confusing and discombobulating quarterbacks. He’s a football encyclopedia with his knowledge of tendencies and rival players.

Smith may decide he’s still too interested and healthy to retire from the game he enjoys so much.  The source wouldn’t rule out even another season in 2027.

“Hard to say. Probably but maybe not.  If he plays healthy, stays healthy, I could see him continuing.  I know he loves the game and I know he loves O’Connell and (defensive coordinator Brian) Flores.”

If retirement is the decision the factors could start with family.  Smith is married with small children. He may decide he’s had a healthy and fulfilling career, and it’s just time to retire.

“He’s definitely a Hall of Famer,” the source said.

Worth Noting

NBA teams often build their rosters to compete with high impact individuals on other clubs who are championship caliber. And now there is a pattern going on in the Western Conference:

Monster talented Victor Wembanyama, 7-4 and 22 years old, has the attention of rivals with a window that has him as a possible league MVP annually and his Spurs team in the hunt for an NBA championship each year.

The 2025 NBA champion Thunder counter with Minneapolis native Chet Holmgren who is 7-1 and 24 years old. And in this year’s NBA Draft it looked like anti-Wemby strategy adding 7-3 Aday Mara who is 21.

The Lakers are rebuilding their roster including with the addition of 7-2 Walker Kessler, also 24.  He was drafted by the Timberwolves in 2022, and was part of the trade that brought Rudy Gobert to Minneapolis.  Gobert, 34, is 7-1 and is an annual contender for Defensive Player of the Year.

Now the Wolves could be grooming 7-3, 20-year-old center Rocco Zikarsky as a “Wemby Weapon.” The Bulls took him in the second round of the 2025 draft, then traded him to the Wolves where he played in five games last season. The Australian native averaged 2.8 points and 2.8 rebounds.

Minnesota funnyman and legendary public address announcer Dick Jonckowski celebrated his 60^th wedding anniversary with wife Arlene earlier this year.  “The Polish Eagle” told Arlene they should get married in a bathtub and have a “double ring ceremony.”

Jonckowski, who turns 83 in October, treasures a lot of memories including the PA work at the first game played at Target Field when the Golden Gophers hosted Texas Tech before the Twins opened the new stadium.  At Met Center he was once a last-minute replacement for the Harlem Globetrotters PA voice who was ill.

The other day Jonckowski recalled that famous St. Paul newspaper sportswriter Don Riley struggled remembering names, but recognized faces.  His go to introduction with two people who were strangers was this: “Tiger, meet Ace.  Ace, meet Tiger.”

There’s ongoing local interest in securing a National Women’s Soccer League team for Minneapolis-St. Paul.  Craig Leipold has ownership not only in the Wild but is the principal investor in the new Minnesota volleyball team that debuts next year in Major League Volleyball, and he has a stake in the Twins.

Leipold is on record about this being an attractive time to buy sports franchises.  Interested in a Minnesota NWSL franchise?

“I would never say never, but its never been presented to me,” Leipold told Sports Headliners.  “So, I haven’t really thought much of it. So, I’d have to see what the opportunity is.”

Sunshine and warm temperatures figure to allow the 3M Open July 20-26 to go on without interruption at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine.  World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler makes his 3M debut and will draw ticket buyers.  Kurt Kitayama, 2025 winner, tries to become the first player to win back-to-back in the eight-year history of the 3M.

Nobody in the local media is more associated with golf than KFAN afternoon radio host Dan Cole.  “The Common Man” is not only an avid player and reporter but also was declared long ago by Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura as the state’s ambassador of golf.