ESPN Found the Vikings X-Factor Player
The Minnesota Vikings’ roster features several new faces after a whirlwind offseason, a somewhat odd factoid because Kevin O’Connell and Co. ended the 2024 campaign with a 14-3 record.
ESPN identified a surprising X-Factor player for the Vikings heading into 2025, highlighting the man who could affect Minnesota’s season to the utmost.
And every team will look for an edge in 2025, needing “X-Factor” players along the way to do the trick.
According to ESPN, that man is safety Theo Jackson, a recently promoted defensive back.
ESPN’s X-Factor Tag for Theo Jackson
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has big plans for Jackson this season.
Theo Jackson Is X-Factor for Vikings, Says ESPN
Foremost, ESPN’s Benjamin Solak defined an X-Factor in this way: “Wins and losses also can be found in the key late sack from a pass rusher; the running game powered by a bolstered offensive line; and the secondary or tertiary target that shines when the primary is double-covered. We call these players X factors.”
Jackson is that man for the 2025 Vikings, Solak argued.
“The 2024 Vikings’ defense starred three safeties: Cam Bynum and Harrison Smith each played more than 1,000 snaps, and Joshua Metellus was just behind with 991. Bynum was the deep middle player in Brian Flores’ chaotic defense full of coverage traps and rotations,” he wrote.
“As such, Bynum was hugely productive on the football field, tallying 12 pass breakups and five interceptions over the past two seasons. Bynum left for Indianapolis on a big free agent deal, leaving Jackson to fill his shoes. Jackson has taken fewer than 200 defensive snaps combined over the previous two campaigns.”
Jackson signed a three-year extension in March worth up to roughly $12 million.
Solak added, “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.”
A Steady Rising of the Ranks
Minnesota signed Jackson on October 11, 2022. That long ago — if that can be believed. The man has bided his time for three long seasons, alas getting a crack at a starter’s job.
The Vikings’ defense has consistently showcased Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus, and Camryn Bynum from 2022 to 2024, so, to put it plainly, not much playing time existed for Jackson in a crowded safety room. Now, however, Jackson will have a chance to break out and fulfill the ESPN prediction.
Jackson will turn 27 next month.
Camryn Bynum’s Departure
How’d we get here? Easy — general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah decided not to oblige the aforementioned Bynum’s lofty contractual request, causing Bynum to sign with the Indianapolis Colts in free agency for $60 million over the next four seasons.
The Vikings then had a safety need on the roster, and instead of drafting a player like Malaki Starks of Georgia or Nick Emmanwori of South Carolina — two men often connected to Minnesota during the recent draft’s build-up — Adofo-Mensah merely promoted from within. His name is Theo Jackson.
Jackson’s Numbers so Far
Jackson has appeared in 43 Vikings games since 2022, starting none and mostly experiencing action on special teams.
He’s logged 222 defensive snaps in three seasons, with 877 on special teams.
According to Pro Football Focus, Jackson accounted for a 79.2 grade last year in a limited sample (78 defensive plays)
X-Factors for Packers, Lions
For the Green Bay Packers, Solak called EDGE rusher Rashan Gary the X-Factor.
He explained, “The average NFL edge rusher (minimum 200 pass rush snaps) had a pressure rate of 12.3% last season. Gary led all Packers edge rushers at 13.4% — the worst mark for a season in his career. Green Bay certainly would love to get more out of Gary’s running mate, 2023 first-round selection Lukas Van Ness (11.2% pressure rate, only three sacks). But Van Ness didn’t get a four-year, $96 million extension during the 2023 season. Gary did.”
“Gary is a solid three-down player, and some of his drop-off in pressure rate can be explained by what defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley asked of him. But Gary simply did not produce the sheer volume of disruption a star edge rusher needs to create on a team with deep playoff aspirations. If the Packers want to reach the Super Bowl, they’ll need to win against Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata; Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell; Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke. Gary made his first Pro Bowl last season, but another level is required of him.”
Cornerback Terrion Arnold got the nod for Detroit: “A first-round pick last year, Arnold settled in nicely as a rookie after a penalty-filled September; by December, his performance in coverage reflected his improvement.”
“Arnold will face a stiffer class of competition, and if new coordinator Kelvin Sheppard retains last season’s defensive philosophy, Arnold will be placed on islands in man coverage. It’s a tall ask, but Arnold has the tools to meet it.
Starting offensive tackle Braxton Jones was the pick for the Chicago Bears, and the Vikings will face him in four days.
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