EAGAN, Minn. — Theo Jackson knew things had to be perfect.

He worked to stay calm in a high-pressure situation, not wanting to give his strategy away.

After all, Elf on the Shelf is a serious matter.

(Bet you thought we were talking about football, right? Don't worry — we'll circle back to that.)

Earlier in December, Jackson's wife Ari traveled to Florida to bring back 6-year-old Aiden, her son and Jackson's stepson. The Vikings safety was tasked with arranging Christmas back in Minnesota while the two were gone.

"I had to make it memorable," Jackson said. "This was our first time having Christmas all together. I just wanted to make it special."

After wrapping the family's gifts and placing under the decorated tree, Jackson brainstormed a scenario for "Elfie," Aiden's Christmas elf who reports back to Santa Claus on the youngster's behavior.

"You can learn a lot of stuff from TikTok," quipped Jackson, who ultimately ended up consulting social media for inspiration.

He tediously constructed a hot balloon "bucket" for Elfie from an open gift box and tissue paper, then suspended it from an inflated balloon and worked to hang the entire contraption from the living room ceiling.

"I had to make sure the box wasn't too heavy, and I think it failed, like, three times," Jackson recalled.

Which one was more stressful, then? Convincing Aiden of Elfie's magical adventures or stepping in for an injured Harrison Smith at Seattle.

No contest.

"Elf on the Shelf was the most nerve-racking," he laughed.

No surprises here

Whether on the football field or at home, Jackson takes his responsibilities seriously.

It's why he wasn't rattled in Week 16 when coaches told Jackson and fellow safety Bobby McCain they'd be contributing on defense in place of Smith, who was ruled out on game day.

"Honestly, my mindset never really changes, because the way I work, I always prepare like I'm starting," Jackson said. "I have to know multiple [safety] positions so if anyone goes down, you know, I have to be able to step in there and perform at a high level."

He did just that at Seattle, where he played 21 defensive snaps in addition to his usual special teams duties. The most memorable play, of course, occurred when Jackson snagged a late-game interception of Geno Smith to put the game on ice. But it's also worth noting he was on the field for two three-and-out situations in the second quarter, as well as Dallas Turner's pick; a three-and-out in the third quarter; another three-and-out in the fourth quarter and a three-down series capped by the Seahawks missed field goal.

Ask any of his teammates, and they'll tell you Jackson's performance truly is no surprise.

"As soon as [Geno Smith] threw it to Theo's side, [we knew]. We mess around all the time, like whenever Theo touches the field, he'll make a play. And it happened," Camryn Bynum said.

"Theo making the game-sealing play was no surprise," added Smith. "But it was awesome, and it just shows how many guys we have who can go out there and make plays."

Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores also had no hesitation in calling on Jackson, whom he's seen make big plays all through OTAs, training camp and in-season practices.

Jackson impressed during the spring and summer but has had to bide his time — and has done so patiently.

"You know, a lot of guys would be upset [in this situation after] having a great camp, want an opportunity to get in there and play. And I'm sure he was frustrated, has been frustrated about that, but he's very much an unselfish guy, a team guy," Flores said. "The guys in that room love him, the guys throughout the team love him for that. He's respected by everyone because of that."

Jackson offered a soft smile when asked about Flores' comments, about the reality of frustration.

"I just have to think, 'Wait your turn.' From OTAs, them telling me how far I've progressed, how good I'm doing, I understand that. But I also understand that I have three really good safeties in front me," said Jackson, referring to Smith, Bynum and Joshua Metellus. "And I'm not the one to complain. It's just, 'When I get the opportunity, make the most of it.' That's just the way I was raised."

Even during his college days at Tennessee, Jackson learned to be ready when his number was called. He maintains that approach at this level.

"I'm not a selfish person," he said. "Yeah, it's tough not playing, but if there's a reason why I'm not playing — if guys in front of me are better, if they fit the scheme better, I just have to focus on playing my role to the best of my ability. And then when I get that call, go out and perform."

Jackson answered the bell against the Seahawks and helped the Vikings advance to 13-2 and in a position to control their own destiny headed into the final two regular-season games and postseason.

He's grateful for perspective from Smith, whether in the defensive backs position room or on the sideline in Seattle.

"I watch every rep he plays, because that's who I have to go in and play like, so to speak," Jackson said. "It's constant back-and-forth questions; he'll ask me things, too, because he's always willing to learn. I think it's just constant talking, and I'm picking up nuggets here and there to enhance my play.

"When he couldn't play, he was telling me what he was seeing on the field," Jackson added.

All about family

Though Jackson is naturally an unselfish teammate, it certainly makes things easier when you have the type of camaraderie the 2024 Vikings have demonstrated.

"We're honestly like brothers," he said with a grin. "Defense, offense, just as a whole, we're all cool with each other. We're all wanting to see each other win, you know? So if somebody goes down, the people [who have to step in], they're going to hype you up. When coaches told me I'd be going in, Josh, Cam, J.G. (Jonathan Greenard), everybody was just hyping me up to go out there and play.

"That's just a testament to our team," he added. "We're all super close."

Helping Minnesota record its eighth straight win was made even sweeter by the love and celebration Jackson received afterward from his teammates.

"That was so great, just that feeling of knowing everybody's so happy for you," he said. "Confirming to them what they already knew, that I can go out there and do it, it was just so rewarding. That moment was super exciting.

Jackson joked that he couldn't even look at his phone due to the number of texts, calls and social media mentions ("I was tagged in the interception video at least a hundred times").

There was one call that meant more than anyone else's, though: Aiden's.

Jackson, known as Bonus Dad to the "6-year-old going on 25," beamed as he recalled answering the phone:

"He called me, just screaming, 'Theeeeeeeeooooooo!' He was just so excited."

In the end, it's family that makes it all worth it:

Preparing his body and giving it his all at practice, spending hours studying game film and communicating with teammates to know every detail of every position in case he's called on.

Or tediously setting up scenes for Elfie, including breaking through ice in the bathroom sink, breaking into Aiden's coloring book to scribble some pictures, leaving notes on behalf of Santa Claus or setting up a sleeping Aiden with a "selfie with Elfie" that mysteriously ended up as the youngster's tablet screensaver.

"It's just all so rewarding," said Jackson, who soon will be welcoming a son with Ari. "We were all together as a family. That was my first time having everybody there, my family all together, and it just felt great. It was special.

"That was probably one of my favorite Christmases so far," he added with a smile.