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Bleacher Report Thinks One Viking Could Be in Trouble
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- Bleacher Report Thinks One Viking Could Be in Trouble
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Minnesota Vikings training camp will get rolling in late July, and by the start of September, the club will cut 41% of the roster. Along the way, Bleacher Report believes safety Theo Jackson could be a release candidate.
Jackson's path depends on Harrison Smith , Jay Ward , and rookie Jakobe Thomas shifting the depth chart.
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Minnesota's safety group is up in the air right now, so BR labeling Jackson as a cut casualty is a new storyline for an evolving unit.
Minnesota's Safety Room Is Suddenly Crowded
Would you have Jackson on or off the roster in 2026?
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta stiff-arms Minnesota Vikings safety Theo Jackson during first-quarter action on Nov. 2, 2025, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Jackson saw meaningful defensive snaps in the NFC North matchup while Minnesota continued evaluating its long-term secondary depth against one of the conference's top offensive units. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
BR: Jackson Could Be Released
BR's Moe Moton sized up a surprise cut option for each NFL team last week, and for the Vikings, Jackson got the nod.
He explained , "Last season, Theo Jackson moved up on the Minnesota Vikings' safety depth chart, playing 60 percent of the team's defensive snaps. After a step forward in his development, Jackson may be less productive as the Vikings' No. 3 safety."
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"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's 2025 Campaign
With Camryn Bynum departing last offseason to the Indianapolis Colts , the Vikings immediately tabbed Jackson as his replacement. He saw action in 14 games — starting 8 — while logging 47 tackles, a forced fumble, 2 quarterback hits, and a poor 131.5 passer rating against.
Cumulatively, Jackson posted a 68.4 grade from Pro Football Focus last year, while Ward notched a 70.4 grade. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores may deploy Ward in 2026 instead of Jackson. In fact, Flores used Ward in the lineup more than Jackson down the stretch of 2025.
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The Harrison Smith Cliffhanger
Jackson's status with the club isn't even the top storyline at his position. All eyes have turned to Smith, the longtime Viking who could, in theory, return for Year No. 15 in 2026. The Vikings treated his final games last season as retirement send-offs, but as the offseason progressed, Smith offered no official retirement announcement. His former teammates, Adam Thielen and C.J. Ham , formally retired, but Smith has not.
Therefore, if Smith decides to come back one more time, the scene gets even trickier for Jackson. Smith may not play a full-time workload, but he also won't sit on the bench. In short, if Smith retires or simply doesn't come back for training camp, Jackson might catch a break based on the sheer safety roster math.
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith signals adjustments to the defense during the first half against the Tennessee Titans on Nov. 17, 2024, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. Smith continued serving as the veteran centerpiece of Brian Flores' secondary while helping organize coverages and pre-snap communication throughout another important regular-season matchup. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
The Viking Age 's Brad Berreman on Smith's future : "Last season's finale had the tone of a goodbye for Smith, and, inadvertently said by head coach Kevin O'Connell or seemingly comfortably said by a reporter, nothing has really changed that sentiment. But until we hear or see something from the man himself, Smith's plans for the 2026 season will be a mystery."
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"When O'Connell spoke to reporters after the one day of on-field work at rookie minicamp, he was asked about Smith. The lead-in to the question referenced something rookie safety Jakobe Thomas said about looking forward to meeting Smith and 'picking his brain.'"
Smith turned 37 in February.
Berreman added, "Regardless of what his plans for the 2026 season are, and who does or doesn't know what his plans are, Smith is still acting like a member of the Vikings if he is mentoring Thomas. At this point, he might as well end the suspense and speculation by officially announcing if he's playing a 15th season or not."
"Without a retirement announcement, and even knowing he'll suit up for the Vikings or no one this season, Smith is regarded as a free agent who could sign with any team. There's nothing nefarious going on if he has had contact with Thomas, but it is interesting."
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Ward's Emergence + the Rookie Thomas
The Vikings' 3rd-Round pick , Thomas, adds another young defensive back whose skills mirror Jackson's. It intensifies an already competitive roster battle for Jackson, particularly given his reduced playing time late in 2025 after Ward saw increased action.
Minnesota Vikings safety Theo Jackson lines up defensively against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC Wild Card game on Jan. 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Jackson contributed on defense and special teams during Minnesota's postseason appearance while continuing to compete for a larger role within the Vikings' secondary entering the following offseason. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Think of it this way: pretend Smith returns for one last ride. Here's the safety room in mid-May:
S1: Harrison Smith
S2: Josh Metellus
S3: Jay Ward
S4: Theo Jackson
S5: Jakobe Thomas
S6: Tavierre Thomas
S7: Kahlef Hailassie
S8: Jacob Thomas
Would Minnesota really keep six safeties, operating under the presumption that Tavierre Thomas will probably make the regular season as a special teams contributor?
If the answer is "No, the Vikings won't keep six safeties," Moton may be onto something with his theory of Jackson as a roster cut .
