Brian Flores Heaps Praise on Lesser-Known Vikings Defender
Brian Flores does a good job when talking to the Minnesota media.
The sense one gets is that the defensive coordinator genuinely enjoys football. He gets a lot out of seeing his players improve and out of trying to bring the team further along. The enthusiasm manifests itself in being pretty chatty, all things considered. Even still, it’s notable when he lavishes praise on a player.
Brian Flores Tosses a Pile of Praise on Backup Safety Theo Jackson’
As of right now, Theo Jackson is the S4 in Minnesota.
The top trio of Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus, and Camryn Bynum isn’t going anywhere. Those three are going to be leaned on to do a pile of work in the upcoming season — something Flores will readily acknowledge — and yet the defensive backfield is going to need more help.
“There’s been an incredible amount of growth,” Flores says when asked about Theo Jackson, “an incredible amount of just improvement. That’s probably the best term to use for him, improvement.”
Apparently, the improvement can be accredited to a determined work ethic.
The word from Flores: “Anyone who watches Theo work, from a meeting standpoint, from a training standpoint, from just an understanding of concepts and a knowledge of the game, I think he’s starting to put a lot of things together. And he’s growing in confidence, which that comes with preparation and he prepares the right way. And it’s showing up on the field.”
High praise from the DC.
Plus, Craig Peters recently made note of the safety’s effort in training camp, describing an interception from the defender: “Theo Jackson joined his fellow native Tennessean and Vikings safety in getting in the interceptions column. He quickly drove on a pass that was thrown late over the middle the field by J.J. McCarthy. It was an impressive pick by the player who recorded Minnesota’s first interception of the 2023 season last year at Philadelphia.”
If you’re having a tough time recalling the Philadelphia interception, go ahead and take a trip down memory lane:
Take a look at the down and distance. It’s an obvious passing moment given that Philadelphia is working on 3rd and 16. Pushing the ball down the field seems likely, and Jackson understands the moment. Jackson is partnering with Bynum to double team DeVonta Smith, eventually being rewarded with the interception.
Originally, Jackson was a 6th-Round selection from the Titans. Minnesota signed him in 2022, though, and he has been calling The Gopher State home ever since.
Last season, Theo Jackson picked up 126 defensive snaps and 260 special teams snaps. He was rewarded with 21 tackles to stand alongside the sensational interception and then a QB hit. His deal to get him back in a Vikings uniform came at just $985,000.
Brian Flores moved Jackson all over the field in 2023, with the safety picking up 45 snaps in the slot, 33 in the box, 27 along the defensive line, 10 as a wide corner, and 10 at free safety. The point that the DC emphasizes is that Jackson has been working hard to understand the game at a high level and the deployment all over the field speaks to that high football IQ.
If Theo Jackson keeps progressing, then a prominent role in 2024 is in play. In 2025, there could even be an opening in the starting lineup, especially if one (or both) of Smith or Bynum move on. As the preseason gets closer — the opening game takes place on Saturday, August 10th — keep an eye on the backup safety who wears #25.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference, PFF, and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
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K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter and as a co-host for Notes from the North, a humble Vikings podcast.