J.J. McCarthy has certainly struggled during his first season under center for the Minnesota Vikings, this even though he has one of the most impressive sets of weapons in the NFL.
Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison comprise one of the league’s most lethal wide receiver duos, tight end T.J. Hockenson is a stud and the Aaron Jones-Jordan Mason backfield is terrific.
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Then there is No. 3 receiver Jalen Nailor, who is headed toward free agency and may prove too expensive for the Vikings to keep due to the fact that Jefferson is already under contract and Addison stands to get paid big money, as well.
Given the Vikings’ tenuous cap situation, the prevailing thought is that Nailor will walk, but Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox is actually urging Minnesota to retain the Michigan State product.
“Keeping the 26-year-old in the fold would make a ton of sense as Minnesota looks to continue developing quarterback J.J. McCarthy—and if the Vikings are out on McCarthy by year’s end, Nailor could help support whoever their 2026 starter might be,” Knox wrote. “The problem is that Minnesota is projected to be $24 million over the salary cap next season. If the Vikings want to keep their No. 3 receiver in the lineup beyond this season, their best bet is to extend him early.”
It seems relatively unlikely that the Vikings will be able to re-sign Nailor. Jefferson’s new deal pays him $35 million annually, and you have to figure that Minnesota will prioritize extending Addison — who becomes eligible for an extension after the season — than paying Nailor.
Nailor has logged 20 catches for 318 yards and a couple of touchdowns this year.
The 26-year-old was originally selected by the Vikings in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft and barely made an impact over his first couple of campaigns. However, last season, Nailor caught 28 passes for 414 yards and six scores, putting himself on the map as a legitimate weapon.
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Nailor will probably draw a surprising amount of attention on the open market next March, so it will definitely be difficult for the cash-strapped Vikings to bring him back.
Minnesota is 4-7 on the season and will face the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday.
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