Former Vikings Player (and Justin Jefferson’s Friend) Shifts to Coaching
In a lot of ways, Jalen Reagor is best known as being the receiver to have been chosen ahead of Justin Jefferson. Not excellent. Maybe there’s some solace, then, in the former Viking being known as Justin Jefferson’s friend.
Trishton Jackson has turned his attention toward coaching after an NFL career that involved sticking around in the Twin Cities for a little while. So, too, did he put in work in LA as a Ram while finishing his career with a stop in Arizona to be a Cardinal. It remains to be seen how coaching will develop, but Minnesota has given him an opportunity to get his foot in the door.
Former Vikings WR Turning to Coaching
Kevin O’Connell dug into the top at the end of minicamp.
“We do have our Bill Walsh Fellowship coaches here,” the Vikings’ skipper said. He went on to clarify that these coaches will “also be back in training camp.” O’Connell explained that there are several coaches being given a shot, but two standout due to being former Vikings players: Trishton Jackson and Bobby McCain.
To clarify, look to the Chicago Bears’ website for what the Bill Walsh Fellowship is: “The Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship program’s objective is to use NFL club’s preparations in advance of the regular season to give opportunities to observe, participate and gain experience, with the ultimate goal of earning a full-time NFL coaching position.”
O’Connell concluded the end of his discussion about these coaches with some optimism: “They’ll be around and hopefully you guys get a chance to meet what we consider a strong group of developing coaches for the future here in the NFL.”
Jackson, in particular, stands out. McCain was in town for a single season whereas Jackson had some staying power.
Still only 28, Trishton Jackson has put his playing days behind him in favor of teaching and leading. Or, in a word, coaching. He was shepherded by some excellent coaches in his career, most notably in Keenan McCardell, who has been the receiver coach in the Twin Cities for a long time. Being able to replicate some of what Coach McCardell can do would be a good place to start for Jackson.
Originally, Jackson ventured into the NFL as an undrafted talent with the Rams. He did so for the promise of just $13,000 guaranteed on his initial NFL contract.
Jackson became a Viking in 2021, surviving as a depth player until 2024. He therefore shared a position room alongside Jefferson for the meatiest portion of his playing career, who was commonly outspoken about his friendship with Jackson.
His final season in the NFL came as a Cardinal in 2025. In other words, Jackson went to work alongside Kyler Murray for a little while but didn’t breakthrough in the desert.
His career involved getting into nine games for 90 snaps on offense alongside 16 snaps on special teams. Most memorable, perhaps, was his 2-point conversion in that unforgettable Josh Dobbs game. Jackson therefore played a part in what is considered one of the wildest, most entertaining moments in Vikings regular season history.
Sometimes, players who had to hustle and grind across their career become the best coaches. They can relate to the difficulty of earning a spot that many of the players experience. So, too, did they need to do a lot of little things well in order to survive in such a cutthroat work environment.
Jackson may therefore be well-equipped to transition to coaching. His journey points toward someone who isn’t allergic to work. As a result, he may find a gig as a skipper and thrive once there.
The Minnesota Vikings get going with training camp on July 26th.
