Vikings Links: Tributes pour in as team mourns tragic death of Khyree Jackson

The holiday weekend was somber as the Vikings received news of the tragic death of recently drafted cornerback Khyree Jackson. Although Jackson was only 24 years old, many people noticed the impact he had on their lives in his short time.

Monday Morning Mailbag: Vikings mourn Khyree Jackson’s tragic death

“Heartbroken,” tweeted Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell.

“I am absolutely devastated by this news,” he added in a team statement after the accident. “Khyree brought a contagious energy to our facility and our team. His confidence and engaging personality immediately attracted his teammates. In our short time together, it was obvious that Khyree would develop into a great professional football player, but even more impressive was his desire to become the best person he could be for his family and those around him.”

“I am at a loss for words. My condolences go out to Khyree’s family, friends, teammates and coaches.”

“Noooo, not little Khyree,” tweeted Vikings’ Edward Jonathan Greenard.

It is also important to note that Jackson was not the only one killed in the accident. Isaiah Hazel and Anthony Lytton Jr. – both football graduates and high school teammates of Khyree at

Photos of the Dodge Charger that Jackson, Hazel and Lytton were riding in have been released, but they are not for the faint of heart. Click here to see them. But the short version is that there was practically nothing left of the car.

What a tragedy. Daily Norseman continues to extend its deepest condolences to the families of Jackson, Hazel and Lytton.

It is really difficult to understand anything else with the Vikings, apart from the Jackson tragedy, and Matthew Coller of Purple Insider sums up well how a young man, after overcoming several obstacles, was close to realizing his dreams.

Khyree Jackson’s dreams were shattered by a tragic accident

Coller has statements from team officials and remembers Jackson’s statement when asked about his path to the NFL: “I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

It is highly recommended to read more here.

Minnesota Vikings News and Links

Zone coverage Tom Schreier wonders if the Vikings’ loss to the Giants in the playoffs two years ago can help them succeed in their upcoming Week 1 game to start the 2024 season.

Minnesota’s playoff loss two years ago may have paved the way for a Week 1 win

Schreier argues that the Vikings – er, in this case Ed Donatell – more or less helped make Daniel Jones a very rich man after his performance against them in the playoffs. Now, with a salary cap of nearly $50 million, Jones must be the focal point of the Giants’ offense – Willy-nilly.

Much of Schreier’s information comes from this season of “Hard Knocks,” which once again offers an entertaining look into the inner workings of an NFL team like never before.

Above the Vikings Entertainment Network There are some funny videos of Tatum Everett sitting down with head coach Kevin O’Connell and assistant coach Wes Phillips over a cup of coffee.

Caffeinated with Coach: Wes Phillips

Caffeinated with Coach: Kevin O’Connell

Phillips said he’s more or less an all-day coffee drinker, especially after dinner. During the season, he even indulges in a few cups of coffee in the evening after dinner if he knows he has a lot of work ahead of him for the rest of the evening.

Everett jokingly asks O’Connell if this is his first cup of the day, and his response is an amused “sideways glance,” as Tatum notes. “I love coffee,” O’Connell says, after noting that he didn’t really drink coffee as a kid. KOC notes that he didn’t start drinking coffee until he was with the Patriots, when he felt his eyes getting a little heavy and became scared at the thought of Tom Brady or Bill Belichick seeing him dozing in a team meeting.

This is a fun little feature.

In his latest piece for Pro Football Focus, Trevor Sikkema examines the 2025 NFL Draft player pool and names one offensive player every team should keep an eye on..

NFL Draft 2025: An offensive player all 32 NFL teams should keep an eye on

The Vikings’ choice is an odd one: Luke Lachey, a tight end from Iowa, just like the team’s incumbent at the position, TJ Hockenson. Lachey is the son of former NFL offensive tackle Jim Lachey, who played for three teams from 1985 to 1995 and was a Super Bowl winner, three-time All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowler and one of the 70 greatest players in Washington Commanders franchise history.

Sikkema’s claim is that the two can form a two-headed monster at the position, giving JJ McCarthy a future with two top-tier targets not only at wide receiver but also at tight end.

It’s not as crazy as it may seem at first.

Here’s who he’s keeping an eye on among the other NFC North teams:

• Detroit Lions; Stanford wide receiver Elic Ayomanor
• Green Bay Packers: Offensive Tackle Josh Simmons from Ohio State
• Chicago Bears: Offensive Tackle Anthony Belton from North Carolina State

We will definitely keep an eye on the defensive version of this article, which will undoubtedly appear in the near future.

NBC Sports Edge — I think I’ll still call it Rotoworldbut that’s just my opinion – notes that Vic Tarfur suggests the Raiders could add another runner to their running back room led by Zamir White.

Vic Tarfur of The Athletic: It wouldn’t shock me if the Raiders signed another running back

The Vikings connections here are numerous and in some ways obvious. The next two backs in the team’s lineup are former Vikings Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah, and the two players Rotoworld suggests that former Vikings Dalvin Cook and Jerick McKinnon could also be targets.

Maybe it’s time to call Las Vegas “Minneapolis West,” right?

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