XFL 2023 Offensive Player Of The Year Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu has signed with the Minnesota Vikings. Ta’amu becomes the 56th XFL 2023 player to sign on with an NFL team since mid-May.
In an odd twist, Ta’amu is reuniting with Defender teammates RB Abram Smith, and WR Lucky Jackson, who have both signed on with the Minnesota Vikings.
The D.C. Defenders now have had eight different players sign NFL contracts since the XFL season ended, including the recent signing of Ta’amu, LB Ferrod Gardner (Commanders), P Daniel Whelan (Packers), OL Liam Ryan (Seahawks), WR Chris Blair (Falcons), WR Brandon Smith (Cardinals), WR Lucky Jackson (Vikings), and All-XFL RB Abram Smith (Vikings).
XFL Offensive Player Of The Year Jordan Ta’amu signs on with the Minnesota Vikings
D.C. Defenders quarterback Jordan Ta’amu was named the 2023 XFL Offensive Player of the Year. Ta’amu helped lead the Defenders to a 9-1 regular season record and a berth in the XFL Championship Game. All of the 2023 XFL awards were voted on by each team’s respective head coach and Director of Player Personnel.
Ta’amu finished the regular season 143-of-229 passing for 1,894 yards and 14 touchdowns with just three interceptions. His interception total was the lowest among XFL quarterbacks, with more than 150 passing attempts, while his passing yardage and touchdown totals ranked No. 3 in the league. Ta’amu was also effective rushing the ball, ranking No. 7 in the XFL with 298 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He ranked No. 2 in the XFL in total offense (215.2 yards per game).
The D.C. offense, with Ta’amu at the controls for much of the season, ranked No. 1 in scoring offense (29.6 points per game), No. 1 in rushing offense (140.8 yards per game), and No. 2 in total offense (343.2 yards per game) in the regular season.
Jordan Ta’amu, only 25 years old, will be 26 in December, has had several stints on NFL rosters since starring in the XFL three years ago. He has spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers, and Washington. As well as seeing significant playing time the last two springs in the USFL and XFL 2023. His growth this past year with D.C. is getting him another look from an NFL team.
Ta’amu enters an interesting opportunity in Minnesota. All-Pro Kirk Cousins is firmly entrenched as the Vikings starter. Nick Mullens is Cousins’ direct backup. Fifth-round draft pick out of BYU, Jaren Hall, is third on the team’s depth chart. Therefore, latching on to Minnesota’s roster will be challenging for Ta’amu, even with NFL teams now being able to dress three quarterbacks on game day.
Furthermore, Ta’amu, who worked out for Minnesota two months ago, is entering the party at a late stage of the game in mid-August. However, there’s a chance that Jordan Ta’amu could impress enough to either land on the Vikings practice squad or receive the first call if there is an injury at quarterback.
Nevertheless, the XFL has proven to be an excellent avenue for players to start, continue and advance their careers. This is evidenced by the league having 56 players sign onto NFL teams. The continued development in XFL 2023 and another earned opportunity for Ta’amu is evidence of the XFL’s value and worth in the pro football landscape.
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I am a pro football writer who has extensively covered and reported on multiple leagues over the years. I started covering the XFL back in 2001. You can follow me on Twitter @byMikeMitchell
