Camryn Bynum Might Be Gone
The Minnesota Vikings signed a safety on Thursday morning, and it wasn’t Camryn Bynum.
Camryn Bynum Might Be Gone
Theo Jackson rejoined the club, and many construed his reunion as a hint that Bynum may not be in the Vikings’ long-term plans.
NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero tweeted, “The Vikings and safety Theo Jackson agreed to terms on a two-year, $12.615 million extension through 2027, with the first two years fully guaranteed at signing, per source. Deal done by Equity Sports Agency.”
Minnesota now has these safeties under contract for 2025:
- Josh Metellus
- Jay Ward
- Theo Jackson
Jackson has played 43 games in 3 seasons, with no starts to date, and 47 total tackles, along with 4 passes defended, 2 interceptions, and a QB hit. He’s tabulated a 95.3 passer-rating-against in 43 games. All told, Jackson has played 222 defensive snaps and 875 on special teams since the start of 2022, the dawn of the Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell era.
Meanwhile, long-time and beloved safety Harrison Smith is contemplating retirement, and the aforementioned Bynum could skedaddle on Monday, the start of free agency — “legal tampering.” Based on those factors, Jackson’s contract might signify a starter’s job.
Of course, $6 million isn’t top-tier safety money, but it’s akin to Blake Brandel’s offensive guard contract (three years, $9 million) last offseason, and Brandel ended up starting.
Most Vikings fans on social media interpreted the Jackson contract (and amount) as a tip of the cap about his starting role, with Bynum probably finding the franchise’s exit sign early next week.
In January, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote about Bynum’s free agency, “The Vikings and Bynum have had discussions about an extension. While nothing has materialized, both sides are open to it, and this could get done before mid-March.”
The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis tweeted Thursday about Bynum: “Team obviously really likes him, didn’t want to lose him. His reps and Vikings negotiated extension up to season but couldn’t find common ground on number. Theo deal opens door to him starting next to Harrison Smith, if Smith returns.”
Jackson is revered by his current teammates and is known for splashy plays when given the opportunity. He logged a sweet 79.2 Pro Football Focus grade in 2024, albeit in a small sample.
If Smith retires and Bynum indeed walks, Minnesota could target Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland or Talanoa Hufanga from the San Francisco 49ers, as a couple of examples.
Jackson will turn 27 in October.
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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 MIN 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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