AP

One of the Vikings’ core defensive players has indicated he would be open to staying with the club for the long term.

In an interview Saturday with the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Minnesota free safety Harrison Smith said he has “no intentions of going anywhere else.”

Smith is entering the final year of his contract, though the club has the option to extend the deal through 2016.

“I’m just here to play football and we’ll see what happens,” Smith told the Star Tribune’s Matt Vensel, indicating his agent would take care of anything contract-related.

Per the Star Tribune, Smith had left hand surgery after the season, but the procedure was “minor,” the safety told the newspaper.

The 26-year-old Smith started all 16 games for the Vikings in 2014, notching 92 tackles and intercepting three passes. A first-round pick of the Vikings in 2012, Smith (6-2, 214) has started all but one game he’s played, recording 10 career interceptions.

Given Smith’s size, range and playmaking ability, he would figure to draw considerable interest were he ever to hit free agency. To keep that from happening, the Vikings will have to ante up. And should they do so, Smith has signaled he will be receptive.