Vikings Doing Everything They Can To Honor Khyree Jackson, Help His Family

The Minnesota Vikings have important football issues to address upon opening their training camp but grieving and helping the family of recently deceased draft pick Khyree Jackson is very high on that list.

Coach Kevin O'Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah addressed reporters on the topic on Monday following Jackson's tragic death in a Maryland auto accident on July 6.

"It leaves you heartbroken," O'Connell said of the 24-year-old Jackson's passing.

Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Khyree Jackson (5) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings Paying Bonus And Funeral Costs

It clearly has left an indelible void for the Vikings and O'Connell and Adofo-Mensah addressed the passing before they got into football topics such as who is the starting quarterback and whether or nor tight end T.J. Hockenson will be ready for the start of training camp.

The Vikings will be paying the remainder of the $827,000 guaranteed money on Jackson's rookie contract to his estate. 

They'll also be covering a "significant" portion of the expenses for his funeral, which will take place Friday. 

The Vikings will send a sizable contingent to the funeral in Maryland. Adofo-Mensah, O'Connell, defensive coordinator Brian Flores, special teams coach Matt Daniels, and defensive backs coach Daronte Jones are expected to attend.

The Vikings also announced that they'll be holding a celebration of Jackson's life in Minnesota, with details to come at a later date.

And during the season, players will wear helmet decals, and coaches will wear pins inscribed with the initials "KJ." 

The Vikings will not distribute No. 31, Jackson's number, to any player in 2024.

Dec 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell argues a call to line judge Brian Bolinger (40) during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin O'Connell Explains Vikings Culture

This is an amazing and thoughtful amount of respect and honor shown to someone who had yet to play a regular-season down for the club. And this is obviously because the Vikings greatly value the loss beyond just football.

"Khyree was not a part of our team long, but the way our culture is and, more importantly, speaking to our locker room and our players, it does not take long for guys to build strong bonds and relationships," O'Connell said. "It was pretty remarkable to hear the kind of impact that he had in such a short amount of time."

The loss of Jackson actually took priority in Monday's pre-camp presser in that it was addressed first.

But there were also other issues the Vikings are addressing or about to address.

O'Connell spoke of the looming quarterback competition between free agent acquisition Sam Darnold and first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy. The coach said the QBs will indeed have a true competition but Darnold will take first-team repetitions to begin training camp. 

The Minnesota Vikings selected Michigan Wolverines QB J.J. McCarthy with the 10th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

Insight On Vikings QB Competition

"I have no preconceived, preset depth chart in my mind," he said. "Sam had a great spring. J.J. came in here after being drafted and had a really productive spring as well ... My message to those guys is I want a really competitive situation."

The Vikings' offense will be without Hockenson to start training camp after he suffered an ACL injury on Dec. 24.

"T..J. will begin training camp on the [physically unable to perform] list," O'Connell said. "He's well ahead of schedule from the standpoint of some of the benchmarks throughout his rehab."

Hockenson may be well ahead of schedule but it would be something of a surprise for him to be ready for the start of the regular-season.