Phillips called Smith an “unbelievable teammate and unbelievable football player.”

“He probably could have made another Pro Bowl, probably could have been another All-Pro player this past season, but he deferred to what’s best for this defense and [asked], ‘How can I help this defense the best?’ ” Phillips said. “There was a 10-week stretch where we were the No. 1 defense in the NFL, and that was largely due to how he saw the game and his conversations with [Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores] on how we want to play some things.”

Phillips pointed to the Vikings Week 4 game last season, in which Smith dominated a road contest that helped Minnesota avoid starting 0-4. He finished the outing with 3.0 sacks, a forced fumble and two tackles for loss.

“You saw him single-handedly beat the Panthers,” Phillips said. “I mean, it was back-to-back-to-back, in the biggest moments of the game … incredible.”

Eagles safety Sydney Brown complimented Smith’s ability to “listen to his natural instincts and just trigger on stuff,” while Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnson said the defender is “everywhere” in the backfield.

“I think his physicality, his knowledge for the game, his versatility is what makes him such a great safety,” said fellow longtime safety Michael Thomas. “He’s been doing it so long. He’s the O.G. at this point. Harrison Smith, that’s one of the last of a dying breed right there.”