Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew van Ginkel (43) and Minnesota Vikings security Theo Jackson (26) have fun after a play towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers through the third quarter at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Photos.
Cutdown day continues to be greater than three months away, but it surely’s by no means too early to verify which gamers may land on the chopping block in August. In recent times, the Vikings have typically made one or two sudden selections, equivalent to releasing Jaren Corridor and Kene Nwangwu in 2024, or preseason star Gabriel Murphy final yr.
A candidate for this yr’s shock minimize seems to be security Theo Jackson, given the doubtless crowded security room, at the very least in the event you consider Moe Moton of Bleacher Report. Earlier than nominating the fifth-year participant, he wrote, “Here’s a look at the best player on every team who could be released this offseason. These selections were made based on a player’s contract situation (cap savings if cut), competition at their position, recent snap counts and production.”
Sep 8, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) rushes the ball previous Minnesota Vikings security Theo Jackson (26) through the second half at Soldier Subject. Obligatory Credit score: David Banks-Imagn Photos
The protection room may instantly be crowded; all of it is determined by ageless marvel Harrison Smith and if he’s keen to return for an additional marketing campaign in purple.
Jackson was initially acquired through the 2022 season, shortly after Lewis Cine’s season-ending leg damage. Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah snatched him off Tennessee’s observe squad, and he hasn’t left since. As a result of the opposite guys remained pretty wholesome in his first three seasons, his alternatives had been restricted.
“Last season, Theo Jackson moved up on the Minnesota Vikings’ safety depth chart, playing 60 percent of the team’s defensive snaps,” Moton added. “After a step forward in his development, Jackson may be less productive as the Vikings’ No. 3 safety. He could lose his roster spot if rookie third-rounder Jakobe Thomas shows promising signs in the next phases of the Vikings’ offseason program.”
Jackson was a starter early within the season when Smith was out with a mysterious sickness. Beforehand, he was re-signed to be the third security within the combine and step up following Cam Bynum’s departure. After all, Smith and Joshua Metellus had already clinched their beginning roles. A 3rd defender was wanted in Brian Flores’ safety-heavy protection.
Nov 13, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell greets security Theo Jackson (25) earlier than a sport towards the Buffalo Payments at Highmark Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports activities.
As he bought a three-year deal final yr, he’s nonetheless signed by way of 2026 and 2027. A minimize in August would save the Vikings $390,000 in cap house, however depart a lifeless cap hit for subsequent yr. Financially, it makes extra sense to maneuver on in 2027. It’s not backbreaking to half methods with the participant this yr, although.
Our personal Dustin Baker famous, “Jackson’s path to playing time has become significantly more challenging, even before clarity emerges regarding Harrison Smith’s future. The Vikings’ 3rd-Round selection of safety Jakobe Thomas introduces another young safety with a similar skill set to Jackson’s. This further problematizes an already difficult situation for Jackson, whose playing time diminished late in the 2025 season when the Vikings benched him in favor of Jay Ward. Consequently, even if Smith were to depart, Jackson still faces a formidable uphill battle for a roster spot or significant snaps.”
Sadly for Jackson, he couldn’t benefit from his beginning project. He appeared in 14 video games and began 8 of them, however his snap counts declined all through the season. Within the first seven video games of the yr, he averaged 57.3 defensive snaps (95%), however in his remaining seven, that dropped to 23.3 (35.8%).
Smith returned to the beginning unit after lacking the primary few video games and a ramp-up interval, however Flores additionally demoted him in favor of Jay Ward. Even when Metellus suffered a season-ending damage, Jackson simply performed roughly half the snaps.
Miami Hurricanes defensive again Jakobe Thomas stays on the sphere after struggling an damage throughout second-quarter motion towards the SMU Mustangs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. On Nov. 1, 2025, Thomas was harm following a defensive cease as Miami’s protection battled by way of a bodily highway matchup in Dallas. Obligatory Credit score: Jerome Miron-Imagn Photos.
Metellus and Ward are nonetheless round and the Vikings acquired rookie Jakobe Thomas within the draft, who’s possible a right away menace for taking part in time as a third-rounder.
Moreover, the veteran has been a fixture on particular groups, enjoying practically 1,000 snaps in his 4 seasons. That quantity dropped in 2025 because of his elevated utilization on protection, however his demotion may open the door for extra time within the third part.
Now 27 years previous, Jackson nonetheless wants a powerful summer time to clinch a job within the defensive rotation for optimum job safety.
Editor’s Word: Info from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports activities Reference helped with this text.
Janik Eckardt is a German sports activities nerd, who likes numbers and stats. He selected the Vikings to be his … Extra about Janik Eckardt
