NFL free agency begins in three weeks on the nose, with “legal tampering” kicking off on March 9th. Internally, the Minnesota Vikings don’t have oodles of must-haves to re-sign, mainly because former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s draft classes largely stunk. Still, the club has one central internal mystery regarding free agents: Will wide receiver Jalen Nailor re-up with the franchise that drafted him or score a fatter paycheck on the open market?
The Vikings can’t ignore Nailor’s free agency, because his speed and role could swing the receiver room quickly. But is his price tag worth the squeeze?
Other question marks about linebackers Eric Wilson and Ivan Pace Jr. are intriguing, but Nailor’s free agency takes the cake this cycle.
Nailor’s Next Contract Is the Big Vikings FA Matter
The speedster nears a second contract and might be the fastest player in Minnesota’s offense.
ESPN Outlines the WR Situation
Regarding the Vikings’ WR section of the offseason, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert wrote last week, “The Vikings are paying Justin Jefferson an average of $35 million per year and must also budget a future contract extension for Jordan Addison, a 2023 first-round draft pick who is now eligible for a new deal.”
“That makes it unlikely they could allocate cash and cap space for No. 3 receiver Jalen Nailor, who is a pending free agent (and one of the few productive members of Adofo-Mensah’s draft classes). But no objective observer would feel confident that the Vikings have a younger and cheaper player ready to step into Nailor’s role.”
Spotrac lists Nailor’s 2026 market value at $4.7 million per season.
Seifert added, “They demonstrated their own uncertainty at the beginning of the 2025 season, when Nailor’s hand injury and Addison’s NFL suspension forced them to use the equivalent of a fourth-round pick to trade for veteran Adam Thielen, who was ultimately waived and is now retired. Has anything changed since then?”
So, yes, Nailor’s free agency is a “Will he or won’t he?” re-sign situation.
Nailor’s Production with J.J. McCarthy
Nailor’s stat line 2025 defines him and his impending free agency: 29 receptions, 444 yards, and four touchdowns. The previous year, with the more accurate Sam Darnold at quarterback, he recorded 414 yards and six touchdowns. Statistically, he profiles as a WR4.
However, Nailor displays undeniable flashes of brilliance.
Against the Cowboys in December, he single-handedly changed the game with three catches for 47 yards and two touchdowns, appearing, for one night, like a receiver poised for a breakout contract. When Nailor is on, he’s electric; the problem is his subsequent inconsistency. In the following two weeks against the Giants and Lions, he had zero catches, the surge completely vanishing. It’s volatile. Periods of drifting followed by sudden explosions.
Now consider J.J. McCarthy. Nailor is one of the few receivers with whom McCarthy has consistently connected. Through ten career starts, that same timing hasn’t consistently emerged with Justin Jefferson. Some of McCarthy’s best plays have come when targeting Nailor.
This connection complicates the decision. McCarthy’s 2025 season was turbulent, and stability is crucial for a young quarterback.
Therefore, the question becomes more significant than it initially seems: how comfortable are the Vikings letting the one receiver McCarthy consistently synced with … walk away?
Another Team May Hand Him the Bag
Why must Vikings sweat the mystery? Well, there’s a chance that Nailor appeals to a suitor free-agent team that values his speed. The squad basically thinks it can empower him more than the Vikings through four seasons.
If so, these teams, based on Nailor’s past ties to coaches, could make a run at him:
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Los Angeles Rams
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Seattle Seahawks
The Raiders could be a frontrunner because Nailor is from Las Vegas, and that franchise desperately needs wideouts.
Vikings Option if No Nailor
Of course, Minnesota would still need a WR3 if Nailor walked. Seifert opined, “One possibility is Tai Felton, a fourth-round pick in 2025 who played 46 snaps and had three targets as a rookie. But that would require a significant projection, given his lack of playing time.”
“A draft that is believed to be heavy on receiver talent might provide more options. Addison has had three brushes with law enforcement in his time with the Vikings. He pleaded to lesser charges on two of them and charges were ultimately dropped on the third. If the Vikings were to change course and commit to Nailor while moving on from Addison, the same depth challenge would exist.”
From free agency, a list of WR3 might look like this to replace Nailor:
- Dyami Brown
- Jahan Dotson
- Tyreek Hill
- Jauan Jennings
- Wan’Dale Robinson
- Deebo Samuel
- Rashid Shaheed
If Nailor leaves, fans will know about it in three weeks. Free agency is oh-so very close.
