D.C. Defenders All-XFL quarterback Jordan Ta’amu is signing with the Minnesota Vikings, reuniting with running back Abram Smith and receiver Lucky Jackson, who were some of his biggest weapons on the Defenders during the 2023 season.
Previous Experience
Ta’amu, the 2023 XFL Offensive Player of the Year, finished the regular season third in both passing yardage and passing touchdowns, with 1,894 and 14, respectively. He added 298 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, as his Defenders finished with a league-best 9-1 regular season record.
While the opportunity is long overdue, Ta’amu’s shot with the Vikings isn’t his first with an NFL team. He signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent out of Ole Miss in August 2019, but was released later in the same month.
Ta’amu ended up with the St. Louis Battlehawks in the 2020 XFL where he was a fan favorite before COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the season after just five games – all of which he started.
Following his fruitful stint in the 2020 XFL, Ta’amu earned an opportunity with the Kansas City Chiefs and was ultimately delegated to their practice squad. Unfortunately, he was released by the Chiefs in late October, but landed on his feet with the Detroit Lions on their practice squad about two months later.
He bounced around offseason rosters/practice squads in 2021, notching second stints with the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions, before stretches on practice squads for the Washington Football Team and Carolina Panthers.
In 2022, the Hawaii native joined the Tampa Bay Bandits in 2022, where he led the USFL in both yardage (2,014) and touchdowns (14) through the air, before departing for the XFL in 2023.
Outlook
Now with the Vikings following a successful season with the Defenders, there’s no sugarcoating it’ll be a tall task for Ta’amu to make Minnesota’s 53-man roster, let alone the practice squad with how late he’s joining the team in training camp.
The spring football veteran will be competing against the likes of Nick Mullens and rookie Jaren Hall for a spot on the team. He’ll likely only have next Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals to prove himself in the preseason finale.
