Vikings extend contract with safety Theo Jackson

He could end up being a starter next season depending on how the next few weeks play out for the Vikings. 

By Dane Mizutani, Pioneer Press – March 6, 2025

Whenever he’s been called upon, Theo Jackson has always stepped up for the Vikings.

Now he’s being rewarded for that production with a contract extension that will keep him in Minnesota for the foreseeable future.

It’s officially a 2-year, $12.615 million deal for Jackson, according to his agency Equity Sports, and the timing of the move is a good indication of how strongly the Vikings feel about his potential to be a key contributor moving forward.

With the future of Harrison Smith in question, and Cam Bynum set to become a free agent next week, Jackson could end up being a starting safety next season depending on how the next few weeks play out for the Vikings.

Originally selected by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Jackson was poached from the practice squad by the the Vikings on Oct. 11, 2022. He’s gone on to establish himself as a key member of a position group that also included Smith, Bynum, and Josh Metellus.

In total, Jackson has played in more than 40 games for the Vikings, carving out a niche for himself as a special teams ace, while also proving he can make a play when he gets snaps on defense.

Though he spent most of last season as a reserve, Jackson played a bigger role on defense when Smith missed the Week 16 game between the Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks. In the closing seconds, Jackson stepped up like he’s been known to do, hauling in an interception that helped the Vikings hold on for a 27-24 win.

PHOTO: Minnesota Vikings safety Theo Jackson (25) in action during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Minneapolis. | AP Photo/Abbie Parr