Breaking: Vikings land a 25-year old star worth $27.8 million

The Vikings have re-signed safety Theo Jackson, they announced on Wednesday. He was an exclusive rights free agent, which is the term used to describe a player with an expired contract and fewer than three accrued seasons.

Jackson, 25, was drafted by the Titans out of Tennessee in the sixth round of the 2022 draft. He was then waived in final roster cuts that year, landing on the Titans’ practice squad. That October, when Lewis Cine got hurt, the Vikings poached Jackson by signing him to their active roster.

As a rookie, Jackson was an important special teams contributor who only played 18 defensive snaps all year. In 2023, with Brian Flores taking over the Vikings’ defense and leaning heavily on his safety room, Jackson played 125 defensive snaps while maintaining his significant special teams role. He played a season-high 21 snaps in a Week 2 loss against the Eagles, recording an interception of Jalen Hurts in that game. Jackson finished the year with 21 tackles.

It’s possible that Jackson’s defensive role will continue to grow in 2024. Harrison Smith seems likely to either retire or be released for cap savings, which would open up a starting spot alongside Camryn Bynum and Josh Metellus. The Vikings might bring in a replacement, but Jackson could also have a chance to compete for a sizable role. He’s been ahead of Cine on the depth chart for a while now.

Why Patriots Should Pursue Danielle Hunter In Free Agency

The New England Patriots could prove to be the perfect landing spot for Minnesota Vikings edge rusher Danielle Hunter.

The Patriots have abundant cash to spend and plenty of holes to fill around the roster.

New defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington broke down what he expects from New England’s defense. He “wants to see a physical, aggressive” unit that “plays with good fundamentals and discipline, and really attack the ball and take the ball away.”

Hunter certainly checks all the boxes with one of his best statistical seasons in 2023.

For the fifth time in his career, Hunter notched double-digit sacks with 16.5 which were fifth most in the league in 2023. He has 87.5 sacks in eight years with the Vikings.

The outside linebacker also forced four fumbles for the Vikings defense. He also led the NFL with 23 tackles for a loss and tied his career-high with 22 quarterback hits. He had 54 solo tackles in 2023 and 83 combined.

Hunter is 29 years old, which makes him young enough and good enough to be a foundational piece over the next few seasons and could put him right in the middle of a retooled Patriots defense.

The Vikings have the opportunity to retain Hunter if the two sides can strike a contract before March 13 — the first day of the new NFL year. If a deal is not reached, Hunter’s contract will be void, making him a free agent.

If the Patriots were able to sign Hunter in free agency, they could keep the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and upgrade the quarterback position by selecting either Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels.