The pot was further sweetened for the former Bengals tackle by the presence of Adrian Peterson and Teddy Bridgewater on offense, a core of defensive players who helped the Vikings win the NFC North in 2015 and by Smith making a visit to U.S. Bank Stadium earlier this week.
“I’m exuberant for the opportunity to come in and compete with a really good nucleus of players and an overall good team,” Smith told Vikings.com Friday after the announcement of his signing. “It’s a chance to do big things.”
Smith visited the Vikings Sunday and Monday. He tweeted a picture of his Vikings nameplate on Thursday, and the deal became official Friday.