It was the Vikings’ week 16 game against Seattle on December 22, last year. And their safety Harrison Smith was out with injury. So, this safety, who despite impressing during the training camp, remained mostly behind Harrison Smith, Camryn Bynum, and Joshua Metellus on the depth chart, stepped up to the occasion. And boy, did he make an impression, playing a crucial role in the Vikings’ 27-24 win.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Minnesota QB Geno Smith threw for 314 yards and his 4-yard TD pass to AJ Barner gave the Seahawks a 24-20 lead with 4:41 left, but he couldn’t rally Seattle after Justin Jefferson’s late TD. Jason Myers missed a 60-yard field goal try after the two-minute warning, and this safety picked off Smith with 49 seconds left to seal the game. The win was special for the Vikings. It was their first win in Seattle since 2006, erasing the painful memory of dropping all 5 previous matchups there. So it demanded a special celebration.
The safety and several teammates, including celebration masterminds Josh Metellus and Camryn Bynum, took to the end zone to re-enact a march from the Disney Channel movie “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” that’s become a meme online. Understandably, he was happy that after living under the shadow for quite some time, he got the chance to show his mettle. “I was happy that I was able to give them that celebration but also be a part of it. I’m just glad he threw it so I could end the game,” he had said. His teammate could not conceal their awe for the effort.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“He was able to play today and step in when we needed him the most,” Minnesota QB Sam Darnold had said. Even OT Brian O’Neill could not help but praise the play. “That’s sick. Somebody had to step up. He’s been making plays for us all year. With the amount of safeties we have, I don’t think he typically gets the opportunity or credit he deserves because of how deep we are in that room. I was really happy for him. He’s one of the best guys in the locker room.” Now, looks like all these positives about this safety have prompted the Vikings to take a serious call.
Step 1 of 8
Quiz of the day
3:00left
Which Minnesota Vikings player recently signed a two-year contract extension worth $12.615 million?
Adam Thielen
Theo Jackson
Sam Darnold
Dalvin Cook
How about a new page to enjoy quizzes and engage with the community?
Yes, I'm in!
No, thanks
The Vikings have yet to offer a contract extension to their quarterback, Sam Darnold. But on Thursday, they signed 26-year-old Safety, Theo Jackson, on a contract extension worth $12.615 million for a couple of years. NFL sports writer and reporter, Adam Schefter, broke the news on his official Instagram handle. “Vikings reached agreement with safety Theo Jackson on a two-year, $12.615 million extension through 2027, including the first two years fully guaranteed at signing,” he captioned.
Earlier, Jackson was scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent. Now that the Minnesota team has offered him a two-year extension, the guy’s under contract with the team through 2027. Drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft, the Vikings signed Jackson after the Titans waived him in the same season. Since then, the safety has been a backup and special teams player for most of his last three seasons with the team.
You see, the team’s starting Safeties Harrison Smith and Cam Bynum are both on expiring contracts in 2025. And Smith is probably flipping a coin whether he wants to play another season or it’s time to call quits. The guy’s been with the team ever since his pro football debut, and has played 13 seasons for the Vikings.
On the other side, Bynum is a pending unrestricted free agent. That means it’s safe to say that a contract extension for Theo Jackson was already on the cards of the Vikings’ front office. The 26-year-old has appeared in 43 games so far, played a total of 222 defensive snaps, and intercepted two passes. Now that Smith and Bynum are uncertain about returning to Minnesota, it’s likely that Theo Jackson will start the next season at his position. A season without Sam Darnold on the roster.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
It’s probably a homecoming for Sam Darnold, just not with the Vikings
Certainly, the Vikings are not ready to slap Sam Darnold with a $40M franchise tag. Now, most of y’all will think that despite having the best season of his career, and leading the Vikings to 14-3, why’s the team not offering him a contract extension? Darnold’s a solid QB—no argument there. But tossing 68 interceptions in 83 games? Yeah, that’s not exactly helping his case. Safe to say, the Vikings aren’t breaking the bank for him.
Now’s the big question: if not Minnesota, then where will the 27-year-old QB land in 2025? Some say Pittsburgh or Indianapolis, while others are certain that he’ll return to his previous home city—but for a different team. Yeah, just like that. Darnold has played for three seasons with the Jets, but the NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah believes that the Giants may sign Darnold in 2025.
via Imago
In an episode of The Rich Eisen Show on Wednesday, Jeremiah first talked about JJ McCarthy’s era to kick off in Minnesota (considering Darnold is not franchise tagged). As for Darnold, he stated, “I mean, I think, you know, does Sam want to go back to the New York market? I don’t know that he would, but I would think the Giants would be in on that.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Well, the Giants are also one of the QB needy teams in this off season. The rumors have already linked them to Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford. While Stafford’s set to stay put with the Rams and there’s no update on Rodgers’ future, Darnold may likely be the next QB1 for the Giants. However, there are a lot of other options for him to explore as well.
