Donovan Jackson Signs Rookie Deal, Completing Vikings’ 2025 Draft Class Signings
As the NFL world awaits the official release of the 2025 schedule, the Minnesota Vikings quietly wrapped up a key piece of offseason business: finalizing their rookie contracts. On Tuesday, the team announced that offensive lineman Donovan Jackson, their first selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, has officially signed his rookie deal, marking the completion of contract negotiations for the entire draft class.
NFL reporter Aaron Wilson was among the first to share the news. Jackson, a standout offensive lineman from Ohio State, was the highest-drafted player by Minnesota this year and was the last of their five selections to ink his rookie deal. The other four draftees had already signed their contracts prior to the start of the team’s rookie mini-camp last week. Jackson’s agreement ensures that all members of the Vikings’ 2025 draft class are now under contract heading into the summer training period.
Jackson’s rookie contract is structured as a standard four-year deal with a team option for a fifth year—a common format for first-round picks. The total value of the contract is $17.177 million, and it is fully guaranteed. The deal also includes a substantial $9.422 million signing bonus. That level of financial commitment highlights just how highly the Vikings value Jackson’s potential to contribute immediately.
Expected to take over as the starting left guard, Jackson is a key figure in what has been a significant rebuild of Minnesota’s interior offensive line. The team added two experienced linemen this offseason in former Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries. Now, with Jackson set to join them, the Vikings appear to have solidified the interior of their offensive line—an area that has been a weakness for the team in recent seasons.
By inserting Jackson at left guard alongside Kelly at center and Fries at right guard, Minnesota has created a new-look interior unit. Combined with veteran tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill, the Vikings’ offensive line now projects to be one of the strongest in the league. For a franchise that has long struggled to find consistency and dominance in the trenches, this transformation represents a major step forward.
Jackson’s college résumé is impressive. He was a mainstay on the Ohio State offensive line, playing in numerous high-stakes games and earning a reputation for his strength, technique, and durability. His experience against top-tier competition in the Big Ten makes him a strong candidate to transition smoothly into the NFL. Coaches have praised his high football IQ, and scouts often cited his versatility and ability to anchor the line in pass protection and run blocking.
His arrival in Minnesota signals not just a physical upgrade but a cultural one as well. Jackson is known for his leadership and work ethic—traits that head coach Kevin O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah have prioritized as they build a younger, more disciplined roster for the future.
The Vikings are entering a critical juncture as they attempt to remain competitive while also developing their next generation of stars. Signing all of their rookies, including a high-potential lineman like Jackson, well ahead of training camp gives the organization a chance to fully integrate these new players during the offseason program.
Congratulations are in order for Donovan Jackson, who has now officially taken the first step in his professional football career. As the Vikings continue their offseason work, fans will be eager to see how Jackson fits into a revamped offensive line that could be a foundational strength for years to come.
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