One Viking No Longer Feels Like a Headless Chicken

Aside from missing a few games due to a broken wrist, Minnesota Vikings guard Donovan Jackson played quite well as a rookie in 2025 — which is amazing because the lineman said last week that he felt like a “headless chicken” in Year No. 1.

That bodes well for Jackson’s second act. If he was somewhat unprepared last season, well, it didn’t glaringly show up on the field.

Jackson’s Second Season Could Stabilize Vikings’ iOL

Donovan Jackson stands on the Ohio State sideline before a game against Texas. — Former Ohio State offensive lineman Donovan Jackson stands on the sideline before the Buckeyes opened the season against Texas at Ohio Stadium. Jackson entered the year as one of the nation’s top offensive line prospects and later became a first-round NFL Draft selection by the Minnesota Vikings. Aug. 30, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Robertson-USA TODAY NETWORK.

Jackson on His Headless Chicken Era

Organized team activities (OTAs) got underway in Eagan, and Jackson landed in front of a microphone. Asked about his outlook in 2026 and his performance as a rookie, he said to reporters, “I feel like last year I was a headless chicken trying to learn a foreign language with this playbook.”

“Another year under my belt, I come out here, and I’m trying to get better with certain details.”

Fans praised the candid observation on social media and were quick to note in the comments that Jackson was quite effective as a rookie — so the best may be yet to come.

The Chicken’s Rookie Season

In his first season, Pro Football Focus did not fully endorse Jackson, assigning him a yucky 59.1 grade for his trouble. Despite that, the rookie boasts a sweet achievement: allowing only two sacks all season. While he did surrender 26 quarterback pressures across 14 games, his remarkably low sack total as a first-year starter is a promising indicator.

His toughness was equally evident. Jackson navigated injuries throughout the season, notably the wrist issue in September that required surgery. He played through the injury, flew to Los Angeles for the procedure the very next day, and returned to the starting lineup within weeks — a testament to his resilience that undoubtedly earned him locker room respect.

Moreover, Jackson’s two strongest performances of the season came against the Bears, a positive sign for Minnesota’s long-term evaluation. Division matchups carry extra weight, and Jackson delivered his best play in those critical showdowns.

For years, Vikings fans witnessed a front office attempting to patch up the guard position with temporary fixes and short-term solutions. The team cycled through cheap options and bargain signings, yet the interior offensive line remained a persistent headache. Fortunately, that situation has finally improved.

After investing in Jackson last April, and with recent contributions from players like Dalton Risner, the outlook for the guard spot is significantly more positive than it has been for most of the last decade.

Donovan Jackson performs drills during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. — Ohio State offensive lineman Donovan Jackson participates in drills during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The highly regarded blocker showcased his athleticism and movement skills while preparing for the draft process that ultimately led to his selection by Minnesota. Mar. 2, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

SI.com‘s Jonathan Harrison noted on Jackson after the regular season ended, “It was a move that earned plenty of praise, as it helped shore up a long-standing area of need for the Vikings. During his rookie season, Jackson mostly performed well and made the Vikings look like they made a good decision.”

“Overall, the pick of Jackson looks like a promising one and gives Vikings fans hope of having one of the best pairings in the league on the left side of the offensive line with tackle Christian Darrisaw.”

The Honesty Is There — and Feeling Is to Be Expected

Jackson was rather forthcoming and truthful. What happened to him occurs to many rookies, even if they don’t admit it. There’s a reason it took Sam Darnold six years to transform into a decent franchise quarterback. He was a headless chicken when he arrived on the scene with the New York Jets.

Thankfully, Jackson looked much better at his craft than Darnold in 2018, so his maturation is limitless. He already confessed to some discomfort in Year No. 1, acknowledging that things are now “slowing down for him,” the proverbial outcome for most NFLers who pan out.

If the Vikings got a headless chicken from 2025, he may turn into the league’s better guards in Year No. 2 or 3 when he finds his head and screws it on. The foundation is there.

Other Headless Chickens?

Here’s Minnesota’s 2025 draft class:

R1: Donovan Jackson (OG)
R3: Tai Felton (WR)
R4: Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (DT)
R6: Kobe King (LB)
R6: Gavin Bartholomew (TE)

Donovan Jackson takes part in position drills during Minnesota Vikings minicamp. — Minnesota Vikings guard Donovan Jackson works through position drills during minicamp at the team facility as coaches evaluate the rookie’s progress. The first-year lineman focused on technique, conditioning, and playbook development while competing for a significant role on the offensive front. June 10, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

This is a coop of headless chickens. Jackson came clean. Felton barely played on offense as a rookie despite 3rd-Round draft stock. Ingram-Dawkins played 250 defensive snaps; he may build on his rookie output. King no longer works for the Vikings, and in fact, was cut by the Jets on Monday. And Bartholomew missed his entire rookie season due to a back injury.

If all or some of these 2025 rookies contribute in 2026, it will feel like the Vikings onboarded two draft classes.