Vikings Will Pay Khyree Jackson’s Contract Bonus to His Estate After Rookie’s Death

Doric SamJuly 22, 2024

Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Following the tragic death of rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson earlier this month, the Minnesota Vikings are doing their part to honor his memory.

Per Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune, the Vikings intend to pay the remainder of Jackson’s signing bonus to his estate. Spotrac lists his signing bonus for the whole contract as $827,148, and for the 2024 season, it’s a quarter of that, which is $206,787. Throughout the 2024 season, coaches will wear pins and players will wear helmet decals with the initials “KJ.” Jackson’s No. 31 will not be worn.

Goessling added that Minnesota will also cover a “significant portion” of the expenses for Jackson’s funeral, which is scheduled for this Friday. A contingent of Vikings personnel will be in attendance, including general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, head coach Kevin O’Connell, defensive coordinator Brian Flores, special teams coach Matt Daniels and defensive backs coach Daronte Jones.

A fourth-round pick in this year’s draft, Jackson died in a car accident on July 6 at the age of 24. The Maryland State Police noted that he was one of three people who died in the fatal crash.

“I am absolutely crushed by this news,” O’Connell said in a statement following Jackson’s death. “Khyree brought a contagious energy to our facility and our team. His confidence and engaging personality immediately drew his teammates to him. In our short time together, it was evident Khyree was going to develop into a tremendous professional football player, but what was 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 heart goes out to Khyree’s family, friends, teammates and coaches.”

Jackson spent the 2023 season at Oregon after playing for Alabama in the previous two years. He earned a spot on the All-Pac-12 first team after recording 34 total tackles, seven pass breakups, three interceptions and two sacks in 12 games for the Ducks.