Following multiple reports of the Minnesota Vikings wanting to re-sign Cam Bynum this offseason during the last few weeks, the team reportedly made a decision on Thursday that seems to signal the end of their relationship with the veteran safety.
According to NFL Media's Tom Pelissero on Thursday, the Vikings and safety Theo Jackson have agreed to a two-year extension worth $12.615 million that keeps him under contract with the team through the 2027 season. Pelissero also added that the first two years of Jackson's new deal with Minnesota are fully guaranteed.
With his extension, the 26-year-old Jackson now seems in line to take over Bynum's spot as one of the Vikings' two starting safeties next season.
Minnesota Vikings make their feelings known about Cam Bynum with Theo Jackson signing
Bynum has been a solid starter for Minnesota since he became a full-time member of the team's starting defense in 2022. But his performance on the field during the last three seasons clearly wasn't good enough to convince the Vikings to make him one of the NFL's highest-paid safeties this year.
Spotrac currently has Bynum's projected market value at $17.7 million per season, and while he might be able to land a contract that pays him that much from another team, Minnesota wasn't going to be the one to give him that type of money.
With Bynum's departure now expected, the next question that must be answered for the Vikings is whether or not All-Pro safety Harrison Smith is returning for the 2025 campaign.
Signs have been pointing to the 36-year-old Smith putting off retirement for at least one more season, but that is still something that has yet to be made official by Minnesota. One would imagine the Vikings would prefer to have him back on the field for 2025, especially if they're going to be moving Jackson into the starting lineup.
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