Theo Jackson Deepens An Already-Strong Vikings Safety Corps
Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The buzz around the Minnesota Vikings during training camp has seemed to be a blanket statement about how the secondary could struggle this season, especially because of injuries. Cut to Theo Jackson and the rest of the Vikings safeties, saying “What the heck did we do?” Sure, the cornerbacks look thin, but don’t lump the safeties into this, because thanks to Jackson, they’re looking to be a strength once again.
Mekhi Blackmon was looking to take a step forward in his second season, but the cornerback tore his ACL early in camp and is now lost for the season. Shaquill Griffin was a marquee signing this offseason, then he also got hurt during training camp and it’s unclear when he will be back. Byron Murphy Jr. is the only real guarantee, but even he had some struggles during his rookie season. At this point, the Vikings are trying to piece together a cornerback, including signing someone like Fabian Moreau, who is suddenly expected to play a big role.
While the cornerbacks have many question marks, the same can’t be said about the safeties. Harrison Smith took another pay cut to enter his 13th season with the Vikings. Even though he is 35 years old, he is still one of the best defenders in the NFL. Cam Bynum and Josh Metellus are the other two starting safeties, and although neither might get the attention Smith does, both are key members of the defense. Bynam, Metellus, and Smith are the top names on the roster, but defensive coordinator Brian Flores likes to run three safeties, meaning depth will be important in 2024.
Jackson is considered a depth piece now, as he’s currently slated behind Bynum on the depth chart, but his play so far during training camp has shown that he can be a long-term contributor to this team. The Tennessee Titans selected Jackson in the sixth round in the 2022 draft, but the Vikings signed him six months later off the Titans practice squad to replace Lewis Cine.
During his first year, Jackson spent most of his time playing special teams, where he impressed the coaches with his versatility. Last year, Jackson’s first full season with the team, he moved around to all three safety spots and quickly proved that he wasn’t just a Swiss Army Knife on special teams. In Week 2 last season against the Philadelphia Eagles, when Metellus went down with an injury, Jackson was asked to fill in. He showed why the defensive coaches trusted him, picking off Jalen Hurts and having a solid game overall.
Week 2 and the rest of last year gave Jackson confidence, and he has used that momentum to really open up some eyes this offseason. Flores has taken notice of his young defender and the growth he has had since joining the Vikings.
“There’s been an incredible amount of growth,” defensive coordinator Brian Flores said when asked about Theo Jackson, “an incredible amount of just improvement. That’s probably the best term to use for him, improvement.”
One reason Flores believes the former Tennesee Volunteers standout has improved so much is the confidence he and the coaches have in the mental aspects of the game.
“Anyone who watches Theo work, from a meeting standpoint, from a training standpoint, from just an understanding of concepts and a knowledge of the game, I think he’s starting to put a lot of things together. And he’s growing in confidence, which that comes with preparation and he prepares the right way. And it’s showing up on the field.”
Jackson might be a backup listed on the depth chart, but players will get banged up, and even if they don’t, he has shown enough this offseason that it will be hard to keep him off the field.
This season is most important for the Vikings, but it’s hard not to imagine what Jackson can do long-term in Minneapolis. Harry the Hitman is still playing at a high level, but will he be in Minnesota in 2025? Jackson isn’t going to break the bank, even with a solid year here, and there is no reason that he can’t be a starter next year. In the short term, though, if the Vikings suffer further injuries in the secondary, Jackson can step up and show the strength of Minnesota’s depth at the position. While the cornerback situation is up in the air and full of uncertainty, it’s a slam-dunk that thanks in part to Jackson, the safeties will be the bedrock of the secondary.
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