EAGAN, Minn. — On Thursday, the Minnesota Vikings recommitted to safety Theo Jackson, securing him with a three-year contract that suggests an expanded role for him in the upcoming season.
Jackson’s agency revealed that the contract, which runs until 2027, is valued at $12.615 million, with full guarantees for the first two years. Having been on the verge of becoming a restricted free agent next week, Jackson has built a reputation as a dependable backup and a key player on special teams over the last few seasons. Originally drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2022 draft, he was added to the Vikings’ roster from the Titans’ practice squad to bolster their depth.
Both starting safeties, Harrison Smith and Cam Bynum, are approaching unrestricted free agency next week. Smith, at 36, faces a decision about whether to keep playing. Meanwhile, Bynum, selected by the Vikings in the fourth round in 2021, has been a consistent starter in all 17 regular-season games over the past three years. Should he become a free agent, his new contract demands might surpass what the Vikings are willing or able to meet.
This scenario opens the door for Jackson, who played all 17 regular-season games in 2024. Notably, he secured an interception during Week 16’s match against Seattle, clinching Minnesota’s eighth consecutive win, a game missed by veteran safety Harrison Smith due to a foot injury.
A notable team player, Josh Metellus, is naturally suited as a safety and could potentially fill Bynum’s vacancy. However, the team’s defensive coordinator, Brian Flores, utilizes Metellus in a hybrid role that often sees him taking on responsibilities akin to an outside linebacker rather than a conventional safety.
