Vikings Safety Anthony Harris Signs Franchise Tender

The Minnesota Vikings secondary will take the field in 2020 with standout safety Anthony Harris, after he signed his franchise tag tender worth over $11.4 million.

After playing college football at Virginia, Harris joined the Vikings in 2015 as an undrafted free agent.  He then worked his way into the starting lineup and became a player the Vikings made a priority to keep on the roster, rather than lose to free agency.

In 2019, the 28-year-old Harris had his best year to date with 60 tackles, 11 passes defended, a career-high 6 interceptions, and his first touchdown.  Unbelievably, Harris was left of the 2019 NFL Pro Bowl roster, but the Vikings know they have a player who is hitting his stride and they will do everything they can to keep him in Minnesota.

The Vikings secondary had already lost Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander in free agency.  They trust that Anthony Harris can help the defense remain strong as they work three rookies into the new-look secondary.  They drafted Texas Christian’s Jeff Gladney in the first round (31st overall), Cameron Dantzler of Mississippi State in the third and Harrison Hand of Temple in the fifth.

Now that the franchise tag has been signed, the Vikings and Harris now have until July 15 to work out a long-term agreement.