Minnesota Vikings News

The Las Vegas Raiders agreed to terms with free-agent wide receiver Jalen Nailor on a three-year, $35 million deal that includes $23 million guaranteed, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Nailor had a bigger role the last two seasons for the Minnesota Vikings, combining for 57 catches on 95 targets for 858 yards and 10 touchdowns over 34 games (15 starts) the last two years. The 27-year-old won't be asked to be a top wideout in his new home, but he should at least be a top-three pass-catcher in Vegas, barring another big acquisition at the position in free agency. The former sixth-rounder's fantasy football arrow is definitely pointing up now that he should have a clearer path to consistent targets after being overshadowed by both Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison in Minnesota. Nailor's connection with the expected No. 1 overall pick, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, will go a long way in determining how big a role he'll have in his new digs. For now, he's an interesting sleeper at wideout to consider this fall.

The Minnesota Vikings and linebacker Eric Wilson agreed to terms on a three-year, $22.5 million deal with $12.5 million fully guaranteed on Sunday night, a source told Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Wilson will more than double his previous average per year. In his return to Minnesota in 2025, the 31-year-old veteran had 115 tackles (his second 100-tackle season), a career-high 6.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, 10 QB hits, and four forced fumbles in 17 games played. Wilson's big season landed him as the No. 16 fantasy linebacker in IDP formats in 2025. The bad news for Wilson's fantasy value moving forward is that he's expected to be in more of a rotational role for the Vikings next year at inside linebacker. Wilson has 515 tackles (277 solo), 17.5 sacks, 44 tackles for loss, 35 QB hits, five interceptions, 11 pass breakups, seven forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in his nine NFL campaigns.

Tight end T.J. Hockenson and the Minnesota Vikings have agreed to a restructured contract that lowers his 2026 cap hit by $5 million, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Following back-to-back top-five fantasy finishes in his first two seasons in Minnesota, Hockenson has struggled through injuries and inconsistent quarterback play over the past two years, finishing as the TE26 in 2025 while failing to top 450 receiving yards. He is currently being valued as a low-end TE2 in dynasty startups, making him a sneaky buy candidate, as the Vikings have made no secret of their desire to add quarterback competition or an entirely new starter when the league year opens on Wednesday.

SNY's Connor Hughes reports that the New York Jets could prefer to sign two veteran free-agent quarterbacks this offseason, and Minnesota Vikings impending free-agent QB Carson Wentz could be high up on their wish list. Wentz is believed to be offensive coordinator Frank Reich's "preferred option," according to two sources. Reich was previously Wentz's offensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2016 to 2017, and Wentz's best season came in his second year in the league under Reich, when he threw for 3,296 yards, 33 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Wentz also played for Reich with the Indianapolis Colts in 2021, throwing for 3,563 yards, 27 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. "No one loves Wentz more than Frank," a third source said. The 33-year-old played through a shoulder injury in five starts in Minnesota last year, throwing for 1,216 yards, six TDs, and five picks. If Wentz were to land in New York, he'd most likely be battling another veteran for the starting gig. And with the Jets, that's about as gross as it gets for fantasy purposes.

The Minnesota Vikings are doing simple contract restructures of star wide receiver Justin Jefferson and left tackle Christian Darrisaw to clear salary cap space for the 2026 season, sources told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. The Vikings must get under the salary cap before the start of the new league year next Wednesday. Jefferson managed to reach the 1,000-yard mark for the sixth straight season to begin his career, but his 1,048 receiving yards were a new career-low as he caught 84 passes on 141 targets for a career-low two touchdowns in 17 starts. The 26-year-old and the rest of Minnesota's offense were held hostage by injuries and inconsistent play by quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The four-time Pro Bowler and former Offensive Player of the Year should still be considered a high-end WR1 in fantasy, but he could be more volatile again in 2026 if McCarthy or a new QB doesn't raise the level of play in the Vikings' offense.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison had an underwhelming 2025 season, largely due to inconsistent and subpar quarterback play. Addison played 14 games last year, amassing 42 catches, 610 yards, and three touchdowns, all of which were career-low marks. The former first-round pick will now head into his final guaranteed year under contract, with the Vikings set to make a key decision on his fifth-year option for 2027 in the near future. Looking even more short-term, Addison's fantasy outlook for 2026 is up in the air. He likely struggled last year due to the poor quarterback play of J.J. McCarthy, and he could be headed down a similar path if things don't change quickly. However, there is a chance the Vikings could make a quarterback upgrade this offseason, which would bode well for Addison's ability to produce as the No. 2 receiver behind Justin Jefferson. The 24-year-old was a top-24 fantasy receiver during his first two years in the league, so managers will hope he can return to that solid form in 2026. He's a decent buy-low candidate in dynasty leagues, but managers should still temper expectations in case it's another year of McCarthy throwing passes in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Vikings are expected to release defensive tackle Jonathan Allen due to salary cap restraints, sources told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. The former Pro Bowler had 68 tackles (29 solo) and 3.5 sacks in 17 starts for Minnesota last year. The Vikings are $40-plus million over the salary cap right now, so they are looking to create additional space before the start of the new league year next week. The 31-year-old veteran was able to stay healthy all year in 2025 in his first season outside of Washington after he appeared in just eight games for the Commanders in 2024 due to injuries. Allen's 68 total tackles tied a career high, but he's only had 6.5 sacks over the last two seasons combined after recording 22 sacks in the three prior seasons. He'll attract interest as a veteran run-stopper in free agency, but Allen's peak as a pass-rusher might already be behind him.

Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason could be in line for a bigger backfield role with the Vikings next season, with fellow RB Aaron Jones Sr. set to be either released or traded this offseason. If Jones is off the roster going into the 2026 season, Mason would rise to the top of the RB depth chart, barring offseason additions through free agency or the draft. The 26-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech had a career-low 4.8 yards per carry, but he was still very productive as a complementary back to Jones, carrying the ball a career-high 159 times for 758 rushing yards and a career-high six touchdowns in 16 games. Mason also had a career-high 14 catches for 51 yards through the air. We won't have the full picture on Mason's 2026 fantasy football value until after the NFL draft, but right now, his arrow is pointing up.

The Minnesota Vikings are "now open" to trading Pro Bowl edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. The Vikings would like to keep Greenard around, but they are also working through salary cap issues this year, which has led to trade conversations. The 28-year-old was a first-time Pro Bowler in 2024 in his first year in Minnesota, but he played in just 12 games in 2025 and ended the year on Injured Reserve due to a shoulder injury that required surgery. The former third-round selection by the Houston Texans in 2020 out of the University of Florida will have a $23.3 million salary cap hit if he stays on the Vikings' roster this season. Greenard had back-to-back seasons of 12 sacks in 2023 and 2024, only to record just three sacks last year. A bounce-back is possible in 2026 with better health, and he'll surely have suitors on the trade market.

"More than 10 teams are eyeing" Minnesota Vikings impending free-agent wide receiver Jalen Nailor, league sources told Alec Lewis of The Athletic. The 27-year-old "will be one of the more coveted free-agent wide receivers next week." Nailor has caught just 69 passes and has never reached 450 receiving yards in a single season, but multiple evaluators "think he has the potential to become a priority signing." He picks up offensive concepts well, is a willing run-blocker, has vertical speed, and shows separation ability, which is why the Vikings would prefer not to lose him. An NFC executive thinks Nailor could produce an 80-catch season in the near future. Lewis writes that Nailor could be in line for a three-year deal worth an average annual value of between $12 million and $15 million. While the Vikings would like to retain Nailor, they aren't likely to spend big at the position. Depending on his landing spot, fantasy managers should keep Nailor's name in mind as a potential sleeper in 2026.

Vincent Bonsignore of The California Post reports that there's been "a lot of talk" at this weekend's NFL draft combine in Indianapolis linking former quarterback Derek Carr to the Minnesota Vikings. Carr retired from the NFL after having his 2024 season cut short by a shoulder injury. However, Carr will turn just 35 years old this month, and there have been rumblings so far this offseason that he could return if the right opportunity opens up with a contender. Across 10 games as the starter for the New Orleans Saints before getting injured in 2024, Carr completed 67.7% of his pass attempts for 2,145 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Minnesota is known to be looking to bring in some veteran competition alongside 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, who struggled in his first chance to be the team's QB1 this past season. Carr technically remains under contract with New Orleans, so the Saints would either have to release his rights or trade him to the Vikings if he is indeed looking to come out of retirement with Minnesota.

The Minnesota Vikings informed defensive tackle Javon Hargrave that, barring a trade, he will be released at the start of the league year this month, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Hargrave's release will save the Vikings $10.9 million against this year's salary cap. The 33-year-old veteran was set to enter the final year of the two-year, $30 million contract he signed with the team in March of last year. The former third-rounder of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2016 out of South Carolina State did not live up to expectations in his first year in Minnesota, recording 52 tackles (18 solo), 3.5 sacks, six QB hits, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble in 16 games played. Hargrave is a two-time Pro Bowler and had 18 total sacks from 2022 to 2023, so he should be able to latch on pretty quickly with another team that is looking for interior defensive linemen.

The Minnesota Vikings informed running back Aaron Jones Sr. that, barring a trade, they will release him at the start of the new league year this month, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Jones' release will save the Vikings $7.75 million against the 2026 salary cap. The 31-year-old veteran was scheduled to make $9 million in base salary this year. In his second year in Minnesota in 2025, Jones was limited to 12 games due to injuries and ran for just 548 yards and two touchdowns on 132 carries. He added 28 receptions for 199 yards and another touchdown on 41 targets through the air. If Jones is traded or cut, Jordan Mason would be in line for RB1 duties, barring any additional offseason additions via free agency or the NFL draft. Jones' days as an RB1 could very well be over, but he should attract interest on either the free-agent or trade market as a versatile veteran back.

The Minnesota Vikings have had trade talks with teams regarding two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. If the Vikings don't find any takers for the 33-year-old veteran on the trade market, they are fully expected to release him this offseason. In the first year of his two-year, $30 million contract that he signed with Minnesota in March of last year, Hargrave had 52 tackles (18 solo), 3.5 sacks, six QB hits, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in 16 games played. He wasn't all that productive, but he did stay healthy for the Vikings after playing in only three games the year prior with the San Francisco 49ers due to a triceps injury. The two-time Pro Bowler could be running out of gas after originally being a third-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2016 out of South Carolina State.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said on Tuesday that he still views quarterback J.J. McCarthy as a franchise signal-caller, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. "A lot of those feelings are still the same. It's just the timeline is in a different place for all of us than it was [in 2024]," McConnell said. The Vikings drafted the 23-year-old with the 10th overall pick in 2024 out of Michigan with the intentions of him being the team's long-term QB, but it hasn't gone as planned in his first two years in the NFL. McCarthy missed all of his rookie campaign due to a knee injury that required surgery, and he was extremely inconsistent in his first 10 starts in 2025 while missing time with various injuries. He completed 57.6% of his passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Decision-making and accuracy were a big issue, but durability is the primary concern for Minnesota and fantasy managers who have him rostered in dynasty/keeper leagues. There's still time for McCarthy to develop under O'Connell, one of the best QB gurus in the league, but the Vikes may bring in some competition to push him this offseason.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore has passed away at 25 years old, according to Ahmad Hicks of FOX9. His death is under investigation, but law enforcement officials said they found Moore in a garage with a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound. Moore entered the NFL as a second-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in 2021. He made an immediate impact as a rookie, catching 54 passes for 435 yards and a touchdown. He posted similar numbers over his next two years in Arizona. He was traded to the Atlanta Falcons prior to the 2024 season, but ultimately missed the entire year due to a knee injury that he suffered in training camp. One year later, during a preseason game with the Vikings, he suffered another season-ending knee injury, forcing him out for the entire 2025 campaign. He was scheduled to enter unrestricted free agency next month.

Quarterback J.J. McCarthy's lack of availability through his first two NFL seasons is the Minnesota Vikings' "foremost concern," according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. McCarthy has played in 29% of the team's regular-season games since he was drafted in the first round in the spring of 2024. The 23-year-old has dealt with a torn meniscus in his knee, a sprained ankle, a concussion, and hand and finger injuries. Durability concerns are the primary reason why Minnesota is seeking QB insurance behind McCarthy going into the 2026 season. But injuries aren't the only reason for the Vikings to be concerned. Outside of a four-game stretch to close last season, McCarthy's overall body of work ranked at the bottom among all qualified QBs. The team removed most of its over-the-middle passing concepts last season to keep McCarthy's line of sight as simple as possible. It's clear McCarthy is still developing after missing his entire rookie campaign, but if he doesn't show improvement soon, he could be looking at losing the franchise QB title sooner than later.

For the first time since the end of his explosive rookie season, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is being priced outside the top five of the position in dynasty startups. Still only 26 years old, the dip in value is in no way indicative of a decline in talent but rather stems from the poor quarterback play that contributed to his career-worst 9.4 fantasy points per game in 2025. Unfortunately for Jefferson and the Vikings, no quick fix appears to be coming to Minnesota, with the team likely to give third-year signal-caller J.J. McCarthy one more shot to lock down the starting job for 2026. It should come as no surprise if the team also brings in a veteran presence for a training camp competition, though the free agent market is relatively barren. Head coach Kevin O'Connell has long been regarded as a quarterback whisperer, but unless he's able to draw a drastic improvement from McCarthy or whomever he deems worthy of leading the team moving forward, Jefferson's value could continue to slide.

A first-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy was expected to take over as the team's unquestioned QB1 in 2025. However, the 23-year-old struggled mightily in his first chance to be an NFL starter this past season. Across 10 starts, McCarthy completed 57.6% of his pass attempts for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He was able to add some value with his legs, rushing for 181 yards and four touchdowns on 37 attempts. However, injuries and availability have also been a major issue for McCarthy. After missing his entire rookie year with a torn meniscus, McCarthy missed time in 2025 with a high-ankle sprain, a concussion, and a fractured hand. Heading into 2026, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has stated that the team aims to have a "competitive" quarterback situation in training camp. While McCarthy is still young and could still be the long-term answer in Minnesota, his fantasy stock in dynasty formats is trending in the wrong direction.

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson had an underwhelming season as the team endured poor quarterback play and inconsistency at the position. Hockenson played 15 games in 2025, starting all of them. He caught 51 passes for 438 yards and three touchdowns, posting the lowest receiving yards total and fantasy points per game mark since he was a rookie. He ultimately finished as the overall TE26 in full-PPR leagues. Although it's fair to blame the trio of J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer for Hockenson's frustrating year, that doesn't mean he'll magically bounce back in 2026. McCarthy is due back as the Vikings' quarterback next season. Interestingly, Hockenson also struggled with Sam Darnold as his quarterback in 2024, so he really hasn't been a trustworthy fantasy tight end since Kirk Cousins quarterbacked the Vikings in 2023. Hockenson is under contract for two more years, but the Vikings have a potential out this offseason. If Minnesota releases Hockenson post-June 1, they would create $15.96 million in cap space while taking on $5.34 million in dead money. It certainly wouldn't hurt the Vikings to keep the veteran tight end to help support McCarthy's development, but we also wouldn't be surprised to see the team's next general manager capitalize on this opportunity to create cap space.