Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (83) celebrates after a reception Aug 10, 2024 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota during preseason action against the Las Vegas Raiders. Nailor has continued developing as a depth receiver and situational playmaker while competing for a consistent role in Minnesota’s passing attack. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
In terms of player personnel movement and change, the Minnesota Vikings are still at the very start of the offseason, with free agency about a week away and the NFL draft six weeks after that. To get you thinking about the 2026 roster, here’s a list of burning questions at each spot.
The one thing Minnesota has to answer at every position before free agency and the draft.
Without a formal general manager — Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was canned four weeks ago — this offseason is quite mysterious.
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Offseason Pressure Points Stretch from the Vikings from QB to CB
Oddsmakers expect Minnesota to win eight or nine games in 2026.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell gathers his players for final instructions Aug. 9, 2025 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis before a preseason matchup against the Houston Texans. O’Connell addressed the roster, including rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, emphasizing communication and preparation as Minnesota prepared for its exhibition opener. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Quarterback
Question:
We know the Vikings will add a veteran quarterback behind J.J. McCarthy. Will that be a player like Kyler Murray or Mac Jones, who will project to be the QB1 the moment he’s acquired? Or will the Vikings find a quarterback like Kirk Cousins or Geno Smith to create a real training camp battle for the QB1 job?
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Running Back
Question:
If Aaron Jones is released to save money on the salary cap, will the Vikings roll with Jordan Mason as the bellcow RB1, sign a free agent like Travis Etienne, or draft a rookie running back before the end of Round 4 for the first time since Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison?
Wide Receiver
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Question:
Does Minnesota re-sign Jalen Nailor for the WR3 job? Promote Tai Felton, a 3rd-Rounder from last year’s draft? Or sign a different veteran WR3 from free agency like Christian Kirk?
Tight End
Question:
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Are the rumors about cutting T.J. Hockenson real? The team asked him to take on the role of a blocking tight end in 2025, and will now release him because his receiving production dipped. How does that work? Is it fair?
Offensive Tackle
Question:
With Christian Darrisaw’s ACL recovery status up in the air, will the Vikings re-sign Justin Skule or sign a different contingency plan? Will Darrisaw simply recover this offseason and be good to go by September?
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Guard
Question:
Will Fries — will he be worth the large contract in 2026, or is he eternally mediocre?
Center
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) receives the snap from center Ryan Kelly (78) Sep. 28, 2025 at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland, during first-half action against the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL International Series game. Wentz operated the offense early as Minnesota opened play in the overseas regular-season matchup. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
Question:
If Ryan Kelly retires or gets cut, will the Vikings sign a center like Tyler Biadasz, Cade Mays, or Lloyd Cushenberry — or use the draft to find a replacement like Connor Lew or Jake Slaughter?
Our Janik Eckardt on the center position and Biadasz’s free agency: “The Vikings hoped quarterback J.J. McCarthy and center Ryan Kelly could achieve such a relationship, but McCarthy was limited to ten games, Kelly to eight. Three separate concussions have put Kelly’s playing future in jeopardy. From a salary perspective, the Vikings could save over $8 million by moving on. Adding the reliable Biadasz on a comparable salary is realistic.”
“In 2025, Biadasz ranked the 12th-best of 37 centers on PFF, grading well in both run and pass blocking. At 28, he should have some decent football left and the Vikings can talk to him as soon as they want, as he was released. There’s no reason to wait until the legal tampering window opens next month.”
Defensive Tackle
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Question:
If Javon Hargrave is out via trade or release, will the Vikings use a 1st-Round pick on a defensive tackle for the first time since Sharrif Floyd in 2013? Caleb Banks? Peter Woods? Kayden McDonald? Lee Hunter?
Outside Linebacker
Question:
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The Vikings have OLB all set with Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner. Who’s the OLB4? Bo Richter? A veteran from free agency? Or a mid-to-late round rookie?
Inside Linebacker
Question:
After oddly releasing rookie Kobe King midseason and with Eric Wilson+ Ivan Pace Jr. scheduled for free agency, the only playable linebacker on the roster is Blake Cashman. Will the Vikings re-sign Wilson, hoping to continue his monster 2025 campaign? Is Pace Jr. as good as gone? Will they sign a free agent like Leo Chenal?
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PurplePTSD‘sKyle Joudry noted on Chenal earlier this month, “The Vikings need some help at off-ball linebacker. Top option Blake Cashman is going to return, but he’s on the final year of his contract and soon to hit his 30th birthday. Chenal is coming out of an aggressive Chiefs defense and is still only 25. If he can gobble up tackles in run defense for medium pay, Chenal makes some sense.”
Cornerback
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (2) participates in pregame warmups Oct. 23, 2025 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, before a matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers. Rodgers went through drills with Minnesota’s secondary as the Vikings prepared defensively for the road contest. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images.
Question:
Last offseason, Minnesota skimped at cornerback after signing Isaiah Rodgers. It wound up with Jeff Okudah as the CB3. Will the Vikings actually prioritize CB this offseason or claim that Byron Murphy Jr. and Rodgers are good enough? The most frequent mock-drafted position for the Vikings in early March is cornerback. Can the franchise finally draft a corner with staying power?
Safety
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Question:
Will Harrison Smith retire? Even if he doesn’t, is it time to draft his replacement, someone like Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman?
Special Teams
Question:
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Ryan Wright had a remarkable bounceback year in 2025 after quiet seasons in 2023 and 2024. Will Minnesota re-sign him and a free-agent punter for a competition, or has Wright already done enough to win the job?
Akwa United FC defeated First Bank FC 2-0 on Sunday, March 1, 2026, to extend their lead at the top of the NNL Conference B table.
Akwa United had earlier beaten First Bank 3-1 away in Lagos in the reverse fixture, completing the double with this latest victory.
The home side started strongly at the Uyo Township Stadium. In the fifth minute, Emmanuel Charles controlled the ball well inside the box but his weak shot was saved by the goalkeeper. Nsikak Raphael also tried his luck from outside the area in the 10th minute, but his effort was blocked by a defender.
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Paulinus Okon led several attacks in the first half, combining well with Daniel Gothom and Aniebiet Sunday, but could not find the final touch. Emmanuel Charles came close in first-half stoppage time, but his shot went just wide. The first half ended goalless.
Akwa United returned after the break with more purpose. Aniebiet Sunday and Emmanuel Charles both missed good chances before the breakthrough finally arrived in the 63rd minute. Yannick Menegbe delivered a fine cross into the box and Paulinus Okon rose highest to head the ball into the net.
Okon doubled the lead in the 75th minute to complete his brace and take his tally to four goals this season. He almost scored a third goal but his long-range effort missed the target.
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The win was Akwa United’s eighth of the season and moved them four points clear at the top of the NNL Conference B table after 12 matches. They now have six matches left to play and will travel to face Osun United on matchday 13.
Speaking after the match, Coach Paul Offor expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance. He said:
“I am happy with the progress we are making. Today’s win was not a late winner or a narrow one-goal victory, which shows we are improving. We are also developing ways to break down opponents who sit back and defend. In the second half, we were able to open them up, create more space, and get our goals.”
He added: “From this point forward, every game we play is a final for us. We will approach each match with this mentality. If we want to secure promotion, we must ensure that after every matchday we remain on top of the league table.”
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On Paulinus Okon, the two-goal hero of the match, Offor said:
“Paulinus is a brilliant player. Even with his skill on the ball, he still has the energy to cover the ground and help the team. We are very happy with his performance this season. Every time he is on the field, we know something special can happen, which is why we try to keep him playing as long as possible. His First Class degree shows he is hardworking, and that dedication shows in his game.”
Offor also confirmed the absence of striker Michael Okenwa, explaining:
“Michael was released to attend his mother’s funeral. He will return to the squad on Monday.”
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He praised the fans for their support, saying:
“We love our supporters. We always give our best to perform well for them, and we encourage them to keep coming out to push us so we can achieve our target together.”
Paulinus Okon was named Man of the Match and received his award at full time from Ibom Air officials at the stadium.
Benjamin Sesko has seven goals in his last eight games for Man Utd and Michael Carrick has been impressed with his attitude on and off the pitch.
Michael Carrick is excited about seeing Benjamin Sesko’s “huge potential” flourish at Manchester United after the £73.7million striker kept up his remarkable run in front of goal.
Sesko was handed a first start under Carrick but found the back of the net again in the win against Crystal Palace, taking his tally to four goals in 168 minutes since Carrick’s appointment as head coach in January.
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The 22-year-old striker began his rich vein of form during Darren Fletcher’s interim spell in charge, scoring three times in two games under the Scot, and although he has found it harder to break into the team under Carrick, his record in front of goal has been exceptional in 2026.
His goal against Palace proved to be the winner and his four goals for Carrick have earned United seven points already. Carrick has praised the work Sesko is putting in in training and said the Slovenian had a clear idea of how he wanted to improve at Old Trafford.
“[We’ve been] working closely with him and connecting with him, building that relationship and that trust,” said Carrick. “I think that’s important when you’re trying to help players individually and certainly as a team.
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“Lots on Ben, he’s put the work in and he’s stayed positive, he knows how he wants to improve, he is pretty clear on that but he’s a good player. That’s why he’s here, he has some great strengths.
“It’s clear to see he’s scoring different types of goals, but he’s such a threat. I’m really excited about where he can get to without getting too carried away. I think he’s got huge potential, he’s so young, still early days for him, but he is doing fantastic at the moment.”
Sesko came in to the side for Amad against Crystal Palace, with Amad then impressing off the bench, and Carrick suggested his fluid front three could yet change when United head to St James’ Park to play Newcastle on Wednesday.
“Delighted for Ben. I’ve sat here and said to you for the last few weeks, it’s not really been a headache, it’s not been a big deal, it has not been a big drama. I think he’s had a huge impact,” he said.
“Ben is making big improvements and a little bit is getting used to what it’s like to be here and the feelings and what it means to play and things that we can take for granted at times. He’s desperate to do well.
“He works so hard, he thinks about it an awful lot. He’s an absolute pleasure to work with. It was a fantastic goal, fantastic goal. So he’s bringing an awful lot.
“We’ve got good flexibility across the top line and the front players can play different roles within the game, so there’s a lot of flexibility there and Amad took some time off today and it might change again for Wednesday but it’s nice to have those options really.”
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India have officially qualified for the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinals after a fantastic win against West Indies in Kolkata. The Men in Blue beat the two-time world champions by five wickets to book their place in the next round of the mega event.
Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and chose to field first in the high-pressure contest against West Indies at the Eden Gardens. The Indian bowlers did a decent job as West Indies set a 196-run target for the home side.
In response, Sanju Samson‘s epic 97-run knock inspired the Men in Blue to a five-wicket victory. Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube supported Samson well as India sealed their place in the semifinals. On that note, here’s a look at the scorecard, Player of the Match winner and top stats from this game.
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India vs West Indies T20 World Cup 2026 scorecard
None of the West Indies batters managed to convert their starts into big scores. Roston Chase emerged as the top-scorer with a 40-run knock at the top of the order. Thirties from Rovman Powell, Jason Holder and Shai Hope guided the Men in Maroon to 195/4 in 20 overs.
Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah emerged as the pick of the bowlers for India with figures of 2/36 in four overs. Hardik Pandya and Varun Chakravarthy chipped in with a wicket each.
Sanju Samson stole the show with an incredible 50-ball 97* at the Eden Gardens. Samson notched up his maiden T20 World Cup half-ton to knock the West Indies team out of the tournament.
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Tilak Varma scored a quickfire 15-ball 27, and Shivam Dube’s two fours in the final moments eased the pressure for the Indian team. Shamar Joseph and Jason Holder took two wickets each, but their efforts ended in a losing cause.
India vs West Indies T20 World Cup 2026 Player of the Match
Sanju Samson won the Man of the Match award for his unbeaten 97-run knock against West Indies. The Indian opener whacked 12 fours and four sixes and maintained a strike rate of 194 to help India win the match.
Samson did not feature in India’s playing XI when they played against South Africa last week, but the team recalled him after the top order’s failure and he justified the team management’s decision with an epic knock in the middle.
India vs West Indies T20 World Cup 2026 stats and records
India avenged their 2016 T20 World Cup semifinal defeat against the West Indies by knocking them out of the ongoing mega event. Here are some of the top stats emerging from this entertaining T20 World Cup 2026 contest:
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India became the first team to qualify for the semifinals of ICC events for 20 times.
Sanju Samson broke Virat Kohli’s record for the highest individual score (82) by an Indian while chasing in a T20 World Cup match.
Samson also broke Tim Seifert’s record for the highest individual score (89*) by a wicketkeeper batter in a T20 World Cup run-chase.
India pulled off their highest successful run-chase in T20 World Cup history.
Zimbabwe players celebrate after the wicket of South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 cricket match between Zimbabwe and South Africa, at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. (PTI Photo)
TimesofIndia.com in New Delhi: Already out of the T20 World Cup semi-final race, Zimbabwe readied for the dead rubber against South Africa in New Delhi on Sunday. As they went through their paces on a hot Saturday afternoon a day prior, their focus shifted to their phones and news channels by the evening.After the US and Israel’s airstrikes on Iran and their counter-attack on US military installations around the Gulf, it has affected the airspace in the global business hub of Dubai. Zimbabwe were due to fly out through that region on their way back home after a positive tournament.“You still believe that the focus is on the game. At the end of the day, it is on the back of everyone’s minds. You know you’re going home, when you’re going home, how you’re going home, the conversations are happening in the groups. No clarity on travel plans, focus on game since,” said Zimbabwe coach Justin Simmons after their 5-wicket loss to South Africa.As a result, Zimbabwe and their travelling fans are forced to look at alternative routes. The team was due to leave in three batches, revealed Simmons, but have no clarity as things stand. One of the players in the squad, Graeme Cremer, lives in Dubai. The team and their fans are considering the possibility of flying for Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, and then taking their onward journeys.South Africa, meanwhile, have more days left in India. They will now fly to Kolkata for the semi-final against New Zealand. The reality of the world outside, though, is not lost on the Proteas contingent.“Obviously it comes up in every conversation, so you can’t wish it away because it’s there. We’ve just got to try and nail our yorkers. So whilst it’s (in) conversations, we’ve managed to just move that aside,” said South Africa coach Shukri Conrad after they kept their unbeaten run going.“And obviously our manager, together with the ICC, we firmly believe that all the right decisions will get made. All our focus is on Kolkata and playing New Zealand on Wednesday,” he added.On Saturday, ICC, headquartered in Dubai, had issued a statement clarifying that they were monitoring the developing situation. “The International Cricket Council (ICC) is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East and has activated comprehensive contingency plans to safeguard the travel, logistics and well-being of all stakeholders associated with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, currently underway in India and Sri Lanka,” said the statement.“While the crisis in the Middle East has no direct bearing on the conduct of the tournament, the ICC acknowledges that a significant number of personnel – including players, team management, match officials, broadcast teams, and event staff – rely on Gulf hub airports, particularly Dubai (DXB), as key transit points for onward travel to their home countries upon concluding their commitments at the event,” it continued.As of Sunday, Indian airlines have cancelled 350 international flights due to the disruptions caused by the escalating conflict in the GUlf region.“In view of airspace restrictions arising from geopolitical developments in the Middle East, a total of 350 flights operated by Indian domestic carriers have been cancelled on 01.03.2026,” the civil aviation ministry said in a post on X at 1634 hours on Sunday.
South Africa’s Marco Jansen and teammates (ANI Photo)
TimesofIndia.com in New Delhi: South Africa are on an unbeaten run in the T20 World Cup. Except for the double Super Over against Afghanistan, they’ve steamrolled top teams, including India, whom they beat by 76 runs. On a seven-match winning streak, South Africa hopes to shed their ‘chokers’ tag.The legacy of that tag has followed the Proteas for the past two decades. It started with the 1999 World Cup loss to Australia and persisted until the 2024 T20 World Cup, losing the final to India in the Caribbean.
T20 World Cup: Ashwell Prince press conference before SA vs ZIM
Now, the reigning World Test Championship winners are the team to beat in the T20 World Cup being played in India and Sri Lanka. Their winning run continued with a 5-wicket win over Zimbabwe on Sunday. Coach Shukri Conrad was asked if this brings pressure and the much-dreaded reminder of being chokers?“There’s always pressure. I think it’s what you do with that pressure and how you shift the pressure. As for the C-word [chokers], I think there’s another one for that – ‘cupcakes.’ I’m sure we kind of enjoyed that,” said Conrad.The cupcake reference relates to a TV advert in the lead-up to the India vs South Africa Super Eight match where an Indian fan jokingly told a South Africa supporter about “repeating history” from the 2024 T20 World Cup while teasing them over a cupcake. But after South Africa’s resounding win against India in Ahmedabad, that dig flipped on its head.“No, there’s always pressure and it’s really about embracing that pressure. And we don’t do things any differently. We’re going to prepare exactly the same way for New Zealand. Whether we start as favourites? Probably because we’re the only unbeaten side in the competition. But I don’t know if that adds to the pressure,” continued Conrad.“I think the semi-final is pressure enough. Playing a tough side in New Zealand is pressure enough. So there’s no added pressure.“I’m glad that we’re favourites because I always felt that as a South African team you want to be able to play as a favourite because it’s easy being an underdog. The expectation isn’t that much. But if we can continue doing what we’re doing then we need a little bit of luck along the way as well.“Hopefully that will give us the result on Wednesday and then on to our ‘home ground’ in Ahmedabad,” he finished cheekily.
The grips on your golf clubs have long been something of an afterthought. Even during a clubfitting, there’s often little time spent dialing in your grips. At the end of the process, you’re usually asked a simple question — What grip do you prefer? — and then you’re on your way.
The folks at Golf Pride don’t think this is the most prudent approach.
“We believe we’re designing equipment for your hands,” says James Ledford, Golf Pride president. “Not handles for your clubs.”
For Ledford, that distinction is more than semantics. Golf Pride thinks about grips as a true performance category, rather than just a finishing touch. While clubheads, shafts and balls have been studied for decades with standardized testing and performance metrics, grips have largely escaped the same level of scrutiny.
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“There really haven’t been established protocols for how to study grips the way the industry studies equipment,” Ledford says. “We all understand clubhead delivery numbers. We don’t really have those standards yet for grips.”
That gap is what Golf Pride wants to close.
Instead of treating grips as passive components, the company is approaching them as active performance tools that influence strike quality, consistency and, most importantly, confidence. In Ledford’s view, the grip shouldn’t be the final decision in the fitting process, but the starting point. Most golfers think about the clubhead first, then work their way up the shaft, and only finally consider the grip. The company is deliberately flipping that order.
At Golf Pride’s state-of-the-art Performance Lab in Pinehurst, N.C., players go through a Tour-level grip fitting that takes into account hand size, climate conditions, texture and firmness to narrow down possible grip choices. Then it’s time to actually hit shots on a simulator until you find the grip that feels the best for your swing. It soon becomes clear just how influential the grip can be.
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“This is where we’re really trying to understand grips as equipment,” Ledford says. “It’s about building real data around how grips influence performance.”
For years, grips have been the quiet constant in the bag. Golf Pride is betting that once golfers start treating them like real equipment — not an afterthought — that silence won’t last much longer.
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Golf Pride MCC Grip
The MCC™ (New Decade® MultiCompound) is an innovative hybrid grip that fuses the positive performance of rubber and cord. The MCC boasts the Golf Pride® exclusive Brushed Cotton Cord in the upper hand area for firm all-weather control, and a performance rubber material in the lower hand for ultimate feel and responsiveness.
The advantage of straight-course practice has been evident, with fillies from Lindsay Park taking out the top two spots at Flemington.
Ben, Will and J D Hayes’s Gin Twist and La Gitana grabbed the quinella in the Listed TAB We’re On (1000m) last Saturday, having shared an 800m jump-out on Flemington’s straight on February 20.
Ben Hayes commented that the trial was vital, unlike for the third Lindsay Park entry Jacaranda ($3.20 favourite), who missed it and finished fifth.
Luke Currie aboard Gin Twist ($3.50) guided her to a 1-¾ length success ahead of La Gitana ($5), as The Troubleshooter ($17) was 2-¾ lengths further adrift in third.
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“Two-year-olds are very hard,” Hayes said.
“They either get it wrong, which we saw with Jacaranda, who dropped the bit early and didn’t look comfortable, they don’t know how to get into a rhythm, whereas the other two were professional, they jumped, got into a rhythm and gave good kicks.
“It’s a bit of a guessing game when you’re running them and I say that to the owners, they either handle it or they won’t.
“We say don’t worry about that as they will improve out of sight. Having a look and seeing how they handle it is very important.”
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Hayes disclosed pressure applied by Tom Magnier of Coolmore Australia for his fillies to achieve a one-two-three.
In the midst of yearling sales season, Magnier was pushing for success from Home Affairs, sire to the three two-year-olds.
“We had a bit of pressure on us,” Hayes said.
“Tom said to us, if we didn’t get the trifecta with the Home Affairs fillies, we would be in trouble.
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“Sorry Tom, we only got the quinella, hopefully that’s OK.
“It was an impressive win. I got a bit worried as she got a bit hot in the mounting yard and got a bit worked up, but she jumped, she looked like she was comfortable the whole race and went to the line quite easily.”
The stable intends to deliberate Gin Twist’s future assignments, not excluding a journey to Sydney targeting the Golden Slipper at Rosehill next month.
You hit a lot of good short-game shots. Sometimes you don’t. The inconsistency is that while you may have good technique, you’re not adjusting for the lie.
Doing this makes all the difference in the world.
On tight lies, like fairway and hardpan, rotate your lead wrist a little clockwise so that, in your release, the clubface points toward the sky. This adds loft, enhances the bounce and gives you shot-stopping spin.
On fluffy lies, like when you’re in the rough or the second cut, you want to keep wrist action to a minimum, to the point that you get the toe of the club to point toward the sky, not the face. This guards against sliding too much under the ball.
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Work on both releases and you’ll always get up and down.
Dom DiJulia is a GOLF Top 100 Teacher who teaches at Jericho National GC in New Hope, Pa.
Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (1) celebrates after a touchdown catch with wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) and quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images.
The Vikings receiver has been a rare success story from the ten-person 2022 draft class. In fact, the argument could be made that he’s the success story as the lonely player to develop into an impact player. Redoing the event would surely lead to a team picking Nailor far higher than when he got scooped up, a sure sign that he has done well across his four seasons.
Similarly worth remembering is that Nailor himself sounded like someone who would leave when he did his presser after the season concluded. Per Nailor, there was excitement for the arrival of free agency: “It’s going to be a pretty interesting offseason, but I’m just excited for what’s to come.”
Vikings Receiver Jalen Nailor Unlikely to Remain
More recently, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell took some time to chat with Paul Allen and Pete Bercich at the NFL Combine. O’Connell was his usually chatty and positive self, as is his wont. The Nailor question continued the trend even if the coach pointed toward where this thing is going.
O’Connell praises Keenan McCardell’s coaching as well as Nailor’s ability to persevere over early injury. There’s then a mention of Nailor being capable of doing “a lot of different things” while saying that “we’re not the only ones watching the tape.”
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“We’ll see how these next few weeks play out,” O’Connell said.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor celebrates after scoring a touchdown during first-half action against the Atlanta Falcons on Sep. 14, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Nailor’s reaction highlighted a momentum shift as Minnesota capitalized on red-zone execution, energizing the crowd during the NFC matchup. The play showcased his timing and chemistry within the passing attack. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
To O’Connell’s eye, Nailor is a very good receiver who has pushed his game upward, largely due to being capable of getting shuffled around the offense. Nailor’s film is impressive, leading O’Connell to conclude that other teams have noticed what he’s capable of doing.
Folks, that’s the kiss of death.
The Vikings, of course, haven’t made a firm decision. Unexpected things happen all the time. Maybe reality arrives and Jalen Nailor keeps earning his pay as an employee of the Minnesota Vikings. Sure sounds, though, like Minnesota’s top coach is preparing for life without him.
Nicknamed Speedy, Nailor offered the Vikings 29 catches for 444 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2025. Modest, all things considered, and yet stats that arrived as the third receiver from within a mostly impotent passing attack. Plus, RB1 Aaron Jones and TE1 T.J. Hockenson were siphoning off targets in the passing game, as well.
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Going to an offense where Nailor can get featured more prominently could lead to good things.
Last season, the pass catcher averaged an explosive 15.3 yards per reception. Of the 29 catches, there were 23 that went for a 1st down. Not too bad. The season before, Nailor averaged 14.8 yards per reception while turning 24 of his 28 catches into 1st downs. Again, impressive.
Nov 2, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (1) catches a first down pass in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Originally a 6th-Round selection (No. 191 overall), Jalen Nailor has become a success story. He had a modest opening pair of seasons before becoming a weapon in his third and fourth seasons.
Whoever adds him will be getting someone who can play outside and in the slot, be someone who picks up a fresh set of downs, and who can score. Indeed, the sense one gets is that there’s some meat left on the bone. Put differently, Nailor has the potential to offer more than what he has shown in recent years.
He is listed as being 5’11” and 199 pounds. He’ll turn 27 on Monday, March 2nd.
Players who cover their mouths when speaking to opponents during confrontations should be sent off, says Gianni Infantino, the president of football’s world governing body.
Infantino told Sky News, external he thought referees should work from a presumption that players have said “something they shouldn’t have”.
He was speaking less than two weeks after Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni raised his shirt over his mouth while speaking to Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr during a Champions League game.
The ban was imposed pending the result of a full investigation by an ethics and disciplinary inspector, and Prestianni could be punished further once the investigation is complete.
Infantino said individual cases should be dealt with by the relevant bodies, but football more broadly must “act and be decisive” to bring in something which has “a deterrent effect”.
The issue was discussed at the International Football Association Board (Ifab) annual general meeting in Wales this weekend.
It was agreed there would be consultation to develop measures to stop players hiding what they might be saying to an opponent.
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Infantino said: “If a player covers his mouth and says something, and this has a racist consequence, then he has to be sent off, obviously.
“There must be a presumption that he has said something he shouldn’t have said, otherwise he wouldn’t have had to cover his mouth.
“If you do not have something to hide, you don’t hide your mouth when you say something. That’s it, as simple as that.”
