Minnesota Vikings S Anthony Harris signed the franchise tender, the team announced today.
The 28-year-old Harris will make a guaranteed $11.4 million in 2020.
Harris, who started a career-high 14 games for the Vikings last season, led all safeties in interceptions with a career-best six in 2019. The former Virginia Cavalier originally signed with Minnesota as an undrafted free agent in 2015 and has appeared in 65 games with 31 starts, totaling nine interceptions, 21 passes defensed, one forced fumble and four fumble recoveries in his career.
The six-year veteran earned his lone career NFC Defensive Player of the Week award in Week 1 of the 2019 season when securing five tackles, two interceptions and one fumble recovery against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 8, 2019.
Minnesota and Harris have until July 15 to come together on a long-term deal.
Vikings S Anthony Harris has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Atlanta in Week 1. Harris had a career game versus the Falcons, intercepting a pair of Matt Ryan passes that led to two touchdowns by the Vikings. The Chesterfield, Virginia, native also recovered his third-career fumble in the second quarter that resulted in a scoring drive by Minnesota.
Overall, Minnesota scored 21 points off Harris’ takeaways, sealing the Vikings’ 28-12 win on Kickoff Weekend. He tallied five tackles (three solo) and three passes defensed against the Falcons altogether. Harris’ four interceptions since Week 11 of the 2018 season are tied for most in the NFL while his two interceptions to start 2019 are tops in the league.
The NFC Player of the Week award is the first of Harris’ career, and the fifth by a Vikings defensive back under Head Coach Mike Zimmer. The Vikings have now had an NFC Player of the Week in four consecutive season openers.
