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Effectuating a comeback tale of epic proportions, Jaylen Twyman’s next on-the-field chapter encountered a hiccup on Tuesday.
The Minnesota Vikings reportedly released the second-year defender about 14 months after Twyman was shot four times in Washington D.C.
Twyman was a fashionable pick by many to make the Vikings 53-man roster in 2022. ESPN even listed Twyman as a starter on the website’s depth chart for about four months.
Known for strength, Twyman repped 225 pounds on the bench press 40 times at the Unversity of Pittsburgh’s Pro Day in 2021 — which is Aaron Donald-like strength, who is also a Pittsburgh alumnus. Throughout the summer, Twyman seemed like a somewhat safe bet to make the Vikings regular season roster. New defensive coordinator Ed Donatell spoke positively about the defensive lineman when asked about Twyman’s play against in the first preseason game, “I thought really well when you think about a guy going two years without playing football.”
Donatell added, “You have to give this guy an A-plus.”
But his emergence as an NFLer will evidently have to wait.
Too, Twyman’s comeback has been lauded for the last year. According to Twyman’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, the comeback is the stuff of legends. Rosenhaus told the Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson earlier this month, “I’ve been an agent for 35 years, and this is one of the greatest comebacks I’ve ever seen.”
After his 2019 season at Pittsburgh, Twyman was on a trajectory to be selected early in an NFL draft. He tallied 10.5 sacks in 13 games as an interior lineman during his sophomore campaign. Then, Twyman opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID, and his draft stock never recovered. Former Vikings executive Rick Spielman found Twyman in the 6th Round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
If Twyman clears waivers, he could land the Vikings 2022 practice squad.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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