Theo Jackson, Cam Bynum go for interception Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles
Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
NFL Free Agency is now six days away (March 12). The “negotiating period” (AKA: legal tampering period) begins just four days from now (March 10). And teams across the league are preparing for what is guaranteed to be a whirlwind week; festivities that the Minnesota Vikings are expected to be very involved in.
But general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah — or Kevin O’Connell, being we aren’t sure who is calling the shots in Eagan right now — is making moves on Thursday, and it signals a likely change in the Vikings secondary next season.
Minnesota Vikings extend Safety Theo Jackson
Late this morning, news broke via Edina native Tom Pelissero (NFL Network) that the MN Vikings are extending the contract of safety Theo Jackson. Per DotComTom, as he is called by the Power Trip Morning Show (KFAN), where he is a regular guest, it’s a $12.6 million extension that runs through 2027.
The details on Jackson’s new contract are a bit murky, for now, being Jackson was a Restricted Free Agent this offseason. Thus, a two-year extension would technically only run through 2026. Either this is a three-year deal that is factoring in his RFA tender, as popular Vikings analyst Nick Olson pointed out on Twitter, or Pelissero has his years wrong.
The #Vikings and safety Theo Jackson agreed to terms on a two-year, $12.615 million extension through 2027, with the first two years fully guaranteed at signing, per source. Deal done by Equity Sports Agency.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 6, 2025
Related: Nobody Knows Who is Calling the Shots for Vikings
Either way, it looks like Theo Jackson, 26, is returning to the Minnesota Vikings on a deal that wouldn’t be afforded to a player who isn’t expected to see the field in the very near future.
Last season, Jackson played in all 17 games, totalling just 17 total tackles, 1 interception and 3 passes defended, as the Vikings’ third conventional safety. Josh Metellus plays a hybrid safety/nickel/linebacker role in Brian Flores’ defense, and played a lot last season.
What does Theo Jackson extension mean for Cam Bynum?
Theo’s new deal begs to question what the MN Vikings’ plans are this offseason at safety. The 2022 6th round draft pick out of Tennessee looks like he could be the new starting safety, and we are yet to hear back on whether or not Harrison Smith will retire or Cam Bynum will come back on an extension of his own.
But on Thursday, following the announced extension for Jackson, Alec Lewis (The Athletic) all but reported what the new deal means for Minnesota’s secondary next season. According to the Vikings beat writer, Cam Bynum is likely on his way to a new opportunity.
On Cam Bynum: Team obviously really likes him, didn't want to lose him. His reps and Vikings negotiated extension up to season but couldn't find common ground on number. Theo deal opens door to him starting next to Harrison Smith, if Smith returns. https://t.co/DrnNjUsQbk
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) March 6, 2025
Related: Vikings Eyeing Two Linemen in Free Agency + Lots More…
If we read between the lines on Lewis’ tweet, it seems pretty clear that Cam Bynum will not be a Viking in 2025. We aren’t sure if Theo Jackson can replace Bynum as a Celebration Coordinator, but it looks like Brian Flores is confident in what he replace what Cam offered his defense before and after the ball was snapped for the last two seasons.
Harrison Smith expected to return to MN Vikings
Pair Alec’s hints with the most recent reporting from Darren Wolfson (KSTP, SKOR North) that Harrison Smith is likely to return, and the 2025 Minnesota Vikings secondary is suddenly starting to take shape, especially at the safety positions.
“On Harrison Smith, I’ll continue to say my sense is he wants to play football for another year, that will be here with the Vikings. The love he has for Brian Flores, I’m telling you — not that he doesn’t love Durante Jones or his Friday morning coffee sessions with Kevin oconnell, others in the building that are important to him — but that bond he has with Flores is through the roof.
Like, if Brian Flores had gotten a head coaching job [elsewhere], I’m almost convinced we’d be sitting here talking about Harrison Smith retiring, that he wasn’t going to come back without Flores present. But with Brian Flores locked in and expected to sign a contract extension at some point before the season starts, but certainly locked in for 2025, I fully anticipate Harrison Smith to be back.”
Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd Show (SKOR North)
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