It's hard to know what to expect from the Minnesota Vikings during the 2025 NFL season. A lot has changed since the team won 14 games last year with Sam Darnold as the starting quarterback, but there are still plenty of reasons to be optimistic.
It's fair to be skeptical about new starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy since he hasn't played a regular-season snap as a member of the Vikings, but there are other reasons to be concerned about the upcoming season.
The Minnesota Vikings' 2025 NFL season could hinge on safety Theo Jackson
One of the biggest questions entering the upcoming season is how the Minnesota Vikings will replace Camryn Bynum. The team's former starting safety signed with the Indianapolis Colts this offseason as a free agent, opening a spot for someone new.
Instead of getting an established starter in free agency or high-potential rookie in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Vikings are rolling the dice on having Theo Jackson step into a bigger role and replace some of that ptroduction.
It was a little eye-opening when Jackson earned a 3-year extension worth $9.315 million, but history has shown that Minnesota has enjoyed success by betting on players already on their roster, such as getting great value out of Josh Metellus all over the field.
Those worried about Jackson should be happy to know that Pro Football Focus recently put together an All-Breakout Team for the 2025 NFL season, and that lineup includes Theo Jackson as a starting safety.
"On only 79 defensive snaps last season, Jackson shined with a 79.2 overall PFF grade and a stringent 77.1 PFF coverage grade. In his three years with the Vikings, the former sixth-round pick has only played 222 total defensive snaps but has finished above a 69.0 PFF coverage grade in every season."Bradley Locker - Pro Football Focus
Although the sample size on Jackson is small, there is plenty to be encouraged by. His PFF grades in coverage and overall should translate nicely to the secondary and still allow Metellus to roam the field as a defender.
"Three Vikings safeties exceeded 1,000 snaps last season, which means Jackson very well may become a significant contributor for Flores."Bradley Locker - Pro Football Focus
There will be plenty of snaps to go around for veteran Harrison Smith, versatile defender Josh Metellus, and freshly extended defensive back Theo Jackson in 2025. If he can have the type of breakout season Pro Football Focus is talking about, this defensive unit could be dangerous.