The Minnesota Vikings had an active run in the first wave of free agency, but it was not without a player loss or two. In particular, safety Cameryn Bynum leaving for a sizeable contract from the Indianapolis Colts stands out as a notable loss.
Bynum's departure was also easily foreshadowed by a move the Vikings made before free agency started. On March 6, the news came that safety Theo Jackson had agreed to a two-year, $12.615 million contract extension to keep him around through 2027.
Over his first three seasons in Minnesota, Jackson has been a core special teamer (875 snaps) while playing a total of 222 defensive snaps. The contract extension was notable, almost to the point of confusing, but the Vikings knew Bynum would be gone and a plan to replace him was necessary.
By all indications, if only by default right now before the draft, Jackson is that plan.
Bynum is leaving a significant void behind. He started every game over the last three seasons, with over 1,000 defensive snaps and at least 81 total tackles in all three campaigns. The Vikings clearly believe Jackson can fill that void, with a new contract that said so before Bynum was even gone.
