Former Viking Signs with Jets
After a couple of UFL stints, former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman is back in the big leagues, at least for a while.
Former Viking Signs with Jets
The New York Jets signed Twyman last weekend, and he’ll compete for a 53-man roster spot, which will be determined on August 27th.
KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweeted Sunday, “The Jets signed Jalen Twyman, placed Malik Taylor on IR.”
New York represents Twyman’s third NFL team since joining the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2021. Here’s his professional football resume to date:
- Minnesota Vikings (2021–2022)
- Miami Dolphins (2022–2023)
- Birmingham Stallions (2024)
- San Antonio Brahmas (2024)
- New York Jets (2024–present)
With the Jets, Twyman will hope to make the regular season roster, up against these current defensive tackles on the roster:
- Quinnen Williams
- Javon Kinlaw
- Solomon Thomas
- Leki Fotu
- Tanzel Smart
- Bruce Hector
- Leonard Taylor III
It’s a longshot bid for Twyman, who could be more realistically eyeing a practice squad fate for September.
Minnesota released Twyman in October 2022 from its practice squad to make room for free-agent addition Khyiris Tonga. Miami then scooped Twyman a few days before the Vikings traveled to Miami for a Week 6 showdown. The Vikings were triumphant at Hard Rock Stadium that day, and Twyman remained in the Dolphins’ orbit for about 10.5 months.
Ex-Vikings bossman Rick Spielman chose Twyman in the 6th Round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and he was a fan favorite because of low draft cost and high potential. His story is also exceptional, recovering from multiple gunshot wounds in the summer of 2021, just months after the Vikings found Twyman in the draft. But the Pittsburgh alumnus didn’t make the Vikings 53-man roster that August and jaunted to the practice squad.
Making a name for himself via brute-force strength, Twyman repped 225 pounds on the bench press 40 times at the University of Pittsburgh’s 2021 Pro Day — which is Aaron Donald-like strength (who was also a Pittsburgh alumnus). But because Twyman didn’t play in the 2020 collegiate season (COVID precautions), his draft stock fell. He became a “high-upside guy” for the Vikings in 2021 and 2022 before departing the team. During his final season at Pittsburgh, Twyman tallied 10.5 sacks in 13 games as a sophomore interior lineman.
It’s worth noting that Twyman played quite well during the Dolphins’ 2023 preseason, and he’ll likely see exhibition reps this Saturday night when the Jets host the New York Giants in their final preseason contest.
The Jets also employ former Vikings Tyler Conklin (TE), Jalyn Holmes (DE), and Chazz Surratt (LB). The Vikings play those very Jets on October 6th in London.
Twyman turned 25 in July.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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