PFF Takes a Stab at Vikings’ Big Roster Mystery
For the first time in years, the Minnesota Vikings will strut into the summer with very few questions about their depth chart.
The Vikings don’t have many roster mysteries in 2025 — sometimes they do heading into a season — but PFF has identified one.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah used a pile of cash to onboard free agents three months ago, and the roster is in wonderful shape accordingly.
But that didn’t stop Pro Football Focus from recently sizing up each NFL’s top roster question mark heading into the summer. For the Vikings, that mystery is safety Camryn Bynum’s replacement.
PFF Mystery Vikings = Camryn Bynum’s Replacement
Minnesota did not re-sign Bynum this offseason, and he departed for the Indianapolis Colts. He’s not coming back. That generated a mystery for PFF, an outfit wondering who would replace the veteran defensive back.
Bradley Locker wrote, “How will Cam Bynum be replaced? Even after finishing 14-3 in 2024, the Vikings didn’t rest on their laurels. The team was one of the biggest spenders in free agency, landing Will Fries, Ryan Kelly, Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen, coupled with re-signing Byron Murphy. Still, a bit of a void has been left at safety.”
“Bynum (61.6 PFF overall grade) ranked third among Vikings defenders in total snaps last season, playing at least 128 at free safety, in the box and in the slot.”
Bynum became a fan favorite in four seasons, known for his exciting and brash celebration antics.
Locker continued, “With Bynum now in Indianapolis, Minnesota didn’t sign or draft someone else to contribute at safety, which feels a bit odd, considering the Vikings led the NFL with 338 dime snaps a season ago.”
“It’s possible that Brian Flores could turn reserve Theo Jackson (79.2 PFF overall grade on 79 total snaps) or lean into more cornerbacks instead of sprinkling in a third safety, but how the team responds after losing one of its prevalent coverage defenders will be revealing.”
Well, It’s Theo Jackson
Indeed, brainstorming Bynum’s replacement might be confusing from a national standpoint. Nobody knows who Theo Jackson is or that he’s on deck to start this September.
But he is.
Just days before free agency, Adofo-Mensah extended Jackson’s contract with modest terms, a sign that Bynum would depart in free agency. And that’s exactly what transpired.
Now, barring an unforeseen summer trade or signing, the starting safety job belongs to Jackson, as Jackson’s coaches and teammates have whispered sweet nothings about his skill set for a few seasons.
His time is now.
One Big Trial for Jackson
The moment is colossal for Jackson. A relative unknown, he must effectuate the high praise from his teammates this autumn. Harrison Smith, in particular, has credited Jackson with stealthy, undercover prowess, and Jackson will have the opportunity to prove him right.
It’s worth noting that each time Jackson has taken the field in the preseason and regular season, he has put a thumbprint on most games.
If Jackson were to flame out as a starter, Minnesota would likely need a complete safety overhaul during the 2026 offseason, especially if the aforementioned Smith retires after 14 seasons.
But there’s no reason to believe that Jackson will struggle.
Free Agent Options if Vikings Change Mind
For the sake of argument, assume the Vikings get to August or so and decide an extra safety is needed to hedge the bet on the big roster mystery. Thankfully, free-agent safeties are generally easy to sign.
These players could still be available in that case:
- Julian Blackmon
- Chuck Clark
- Quandre Diggs
- Justin Simmons
- K’Von Wallace
- Jordan Whitehead
- Marcus Williams
PurplePTSD on Jackson
Janik Eckardt provided more context on Jackson earlier this offseason: “Theo Jackson has been a reserve safety for three seasons, but is poised to move up on the depth chart. There haven’t been too many opportunities for the now 26-year-old to star on defense because Bynum, Josh Metellus, and Smith have been fairly durable, but when asked to make plays, he has always delivered.”
“In those 43 games, he has logged 222 defensive snaps, primarily when Smith missed a game last year, and he secured the game-winning interception. He added another 875 special-teams snaps, accumulating 47 tackles, two picks, and one fumble recovery in his reps.”
Minnesota has another young safety in its roster orbit, too — Jay Ward.
Eckardt added, “Jackson was a restricted free agent this offseason, but the Vikings didn’t play any restricted games, just handing him a three-year deal for almost $10 million instead.”
“With Bynum gone, he’s currently the third safety on the depth chart behind only Smith and Metellus. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores surely wants to continue to use those two in the box, allowing Jackson to slide in for Bynum as the deep safety.”
Jackson’s big test is less than 14 weeks away when the Vikings travel to Chicago for a date with the Bears in Week 1.
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