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Defensive end Lawrence Jackson has decided to join the Minnesota Vikings. He held an offer from the Detroit Lions, and he had been waiting to make a decision about his future. On Thursday night, following the end of the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Jackson agreed to a one-year deal with the Vikings.
I suppose the writing was on the wall when it came to the chances of Jackson returning to Detroit when the Lions picked Ezekiel Ansah on Thursday night. Not only did they go with a defensive end at No. 5, but they gave Ansah No. 94, which had been worn by Jackson.
After the news of him joining the Vikings broke, Jackson took to Twitter to thank Lions fans and some of his former teammates.
A big thanks to all the Detroit fans who took me in as their own. I loved you guys and played hard for u guys respect every week.
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) April 26, 2013
Though I will miss playing alongside @ndamukong_suh and @nick_fairley251 i had a great time sporting the Honolulu blue.
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) April 26, 2013
I look forward to the opportunity to play for the Vikings and I'm blessed for the chance to continue to grow as a player.
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) April 26, 2013
Can't say it enough, thank you, thank you, thank you LIONS FANS...u were good to me. #LJSP still lives on!!!!
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) April 26, 2013
It sounds like former Lions cornerback Jacob Lacey is also going to join the Vikings. That's unconfirmed, but either way, the Vikings had quite a night. They ended up landing Sharrif Floyd, Xavier Rhodes and Cordarrelle Patterson in the first round, and they also added help at defensive end by signing Jackson.