The Minnesota Vikings lost safety Cam Bynum in free agency, as the charismatic defender signed with the Indianapolis Colts. But they are counting on a fourth-year safety to step into his role and help the defense continue to operate at an elite level.
Ben Solak of ESPN looked at each NFL team’s potential “X-factor” in 2025.
The performance of X factors has a disproportionate amount of leverage in their team’s outcomes. If they’re good, it might clarify an entire unit that needed just one more player. If they’re bad, it might make a team one-dimensional and easily exploitable.
With that, he determined Theo Jackson to be the Vikings’ X-factor this coming season.
Jackson has taken fewer than 200 defensive snaps combined over the previous two campaigns. But he has been lauded for his preparation in the Vikings’ building, where he was the primary backup safety for all three of Metellus, Bynum and Smith — three very different roles. Flores has enjoyed having a reliable safety blanket in Bynum, who allowed him to call many of his more aggressive blitzes; if Jackson can offer the same production, expect Minnesota’s D to keep chugging.
Jackson was a sixth-round pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2022 but signed with the Vikings early that season. He has received praise from coaches and teammates since then, despite limited playing time.
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Now, he gets to show that those years of preparation have paid off. If he can, the defense should once again be one of the league’s best.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: One Vikings defender could be the X-factor to their 2025 season