By Matthew SchmidtShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberJ.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.
Read more: Giants Star Throws Weird Shade at Patriots QB Drake Maye
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.
Read more: Eagles’ Saquon Barkley Assigns Surprising Blame After Cowboys Collapse
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.
For more on the Minnesota Vikings and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Request Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI Guidelines
Add Newsweek as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Recommended For You
NFLPatrick Mahomes, Chiefs Suffer Devastating Injury Blow After Cowboys Loss3 min read
NFLPackers Receive Crushing News Following Huge Win Over Lions3 min read
NFLNFL Reacts to Postgame Handshake Between Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott2 min read
NFLPatrick Mahomes Sends Clear Message After Chiefs Lose to Cowboys3 min read
Affiliate LinksHow to Watch Bengals vs Ravens: Live Stream NFL on Thanksgiving, TV Channel2 min read
NFLKey Bears Defenders Out Against Eagles in Pivotal Matchup2 min readRelated Podcasts
Top Stories
NewsTrump’s Reported Plan to Hand Russia Ukrainian Territories Sparks Outrage2 min read
NewsUncommon Knowledge: On Black Friday, Payday Lenders Are Now Armed With AI5 min read
NewsMap Shows Where Significant Snow Will Disrupt Post-Thanksgiving Travel3 min read
NewsTrump Announces Halt On Migration From ‘All Third World Countries’3 min read
NewsZelensky’s Chief of Staff Resigns After Anti-Corruption Raid4 min read
NewsTrump Admin ‘Looking at’ Deporting Rahmanullah Lakanwal’s Family4 min readTrending
New York8 Million Inflation Refund Checks Sent Out Ahead of Thanksgiving4 min read
WalmartWalmart Recall Update: Customers Warned ‘Immediately Stop’ Using Products4 min read
CatholicPope Leo Updates Marriage Rules for 1.4 Billion Catholics3 min read
WeatherWinter Storm Map Shows Where Up to 12 Inches of Snow Could Strike3 min read
ThanksgivingList of Fast Food and Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving Day 20253 min readOpinion
OpinionRedefining Professional Degrees Will Hurt Everyday Americans | Opinion5 min read
OpinionAI Is Coming for Our Most Intimate Communications. Congress Must Act | Opinion5 min read
OpinionConventional Wisdom: The Thanksgiving Tragedies Edition3 min read
OpinionConventional Wisdom: The Anti-Thanksgiving Edition3 min read
OpinionHow to Remain Grounded and Thankful Amid the Chaos5 min read
