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The Vikings Have Some Big Decisions at Wide Receiver

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Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (83) celebrates a catch against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

Wide receiver is one of the under-the-radar positions for the Vikings when it comes to big decisions this offseason. However, decisions need to be made across the whole position group.

The NFL world will once again be full of trade proposals for Justin Jefferson. That’s not going to happen, not this year. Another season like 2025, and the Vikings’ star player might start to kick up a fuss and want out. Kevin O’Connell will likely have also been fired, and a new leadership group might consider trading Jefferson for a haul.

Nailor, the Draft, and Minnesota’s WR Depth Questions

For now, Jefferson will stay in Minnesota as the Vikings’ star player. 2026 needs to provide a season that makes Jefferson believe staying is the right move for him.

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Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (1) celebrates with fans after a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

The Vikings’ other first-round WR draftee, Jordan Addison, is entering the fourth year of his rookie contract – a decision on his fifth-year option is looming. If the decision were based purely on talent, then it would be fairly simple, but Addison’s history of indiscretions away from football, which cost him three games of the 2025 season through a ban, muddies the waters. Do the Vikings want to take on Addison to a long-term, expensive contract?

I expect the Vikings to take their time with the Addison decision; there won’t be an early contract extension, but they’ll likely commit to the fifth-year option.

What to Do at WR3?

For the past couple of seasons, Jalen Nailor has filled the WR3 role in Minnesota and has done a solid job, hitting over 400 receiving yards in both seasons and scoring 10 touchdowns. Nailor hits free agency and should garner plenty of interest. His contract projection ranges from $4 million to $12 million a year — even the lower end might be too much for Minnesota in its current position.

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Minnesota Vikings new wide receiver Tai Felton during 2025 Rookie Minicamp in May 2025. Minnesota used a 3rd-Round pick on Felton from the University of Maryland, and he’ll be attached to the roster through the end of the 2028 season.

Nailor showed a good rapport with J.J. McCarthy last season, and it would be nice to bring him back, but a more needy team at WR should be looking to give him the opportunity for a bigger role and potentially a true breakout season.

The Vikings could look to pick up a WR in this year’s draft, but their third-round pick from last season, Tai Felton, has had no real opportunity yet. Felton got three targets across his entire rookie season. He flashed ability, catching all three targets for 25 yards and two first downs, but in a season where the Vikings’ offense struggled, he wasn’t able to make much impact.

He deserves a fair shot at showcasing his talents, but what do the Vikings think of him as a potential WR3? It’s hard to guess at this point. Myles Price rounded out the WR room in 2025 but was used exclusively as a returner.

Aug 24, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell speaks to the referee during the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Caean Couto-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota could look for a veteran to come in and fill out the depth chart. A big name became available recently: Tyreek Hill was cut by the Miami Dolphins, and a multi-time Pro Bowler who has repeatedly talked about his Vikings fandom as a kid is immediately linked to Minnesota.

Hill turns 32 at the beginning of March and is recovering from a gruesome leg injury, but that’s what might make him affordable. Still, it’s probably a long shot, and the Vikings will have to find a bargain player while hoping Felton leaps in Year 2.


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Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.

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UFC Fight Night results: Melquizael Costa scores stunning knockout in Houston

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It’s time to put some respect on Melquizael Costa’s name in the UFC featherweight division. 

Costa (26-7) recorded his sixth straight victory on Saturday at UFC Fight Night in Houston and did so in spectacular fashion inside the Toyota Center by becoming the first fighter to finish veteran Dan Ige (19-11). 

The 29-year-old from Brazil scored the sixth spinning back kick knockout in UFC history when he caught Ige ducking down to avoid a potential punch that put him directly in line for the kick. Referee Dan Miragliotta leaped in to stop the fight at 4:56 of Round 1 as Costa likely secured a top-15 ranking at 145 pounds. 

“I told everybody this week, I just fought a legend,” Costa said. “No one has been able to finish him and I said that I was going to do that. I was able to do it.”

After Ige scored an early takedown, Costa quickly scrambled back to his feet and began to wear Ige down in the clinch with knees to the body. From there, Costa showcased his full offensive bag by stunning Ige with a front kick to the face and going to the body with a variety of strikes that led up to the finish.

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Costa extended his win streak that began following a second-round knockout loss to Steve Garcia in 2023. Of his six wins on his current run, four have come by stoppage. 

After the fight, Costa called out a former two-time featherweight title challenger who was sitting Octagonside. 

“There is a guy here that you all love and I love, too,” Costa said. “Diego Lopes, let’s go at it.”

Ige, a 34-year-old native of Hawaii, suffered his fifth loss in his last seven fights. 

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NFL Players from Desert Hills H.S. (St. George, UT)

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Here’s an up-to-date list of all NFL Players from Desert Hills High School in St. George, Utah.

The list includes only those players who have played in an NFL game.

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See where it ranks among other schools in the state here.

NFL Players from Desert Hills HS



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Match of the Day analysis: Why versatility makes Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly remarkable – Micah Richards

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Match of the Day pundit Micah Richards explains why Nico O’Reilly should be one of the first names on the Manchester City team sheet, thanks to his ability to play as a left-back and also in the number 10 role.

WATCH: O’Reilly scores twice as Man City beat Newcastle

READ: Man City beat Newcastle to increase pressure on Arsenal

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Match of the Day analysis: Watkins has to respond to pressure of Abraham’s arrival at Villa – Rooney

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Match of the Day pundit Wayne Rooney believes Tammy Abraham’s arrival at Aston Villa could be key to Ollie Watkins rediscovering his form, as the pressure of competition for his place in the starting line-up is something “he has to respond to”.

WATCH: Late Abraham goal rescues point for Villa against Leeds

READ: Abraham equaliser earns draw for Villa against Leeds

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Tiger Woods’ Masters week plans and potential prep (plus 4 other insights)

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NFL Players from Hillcrest H.S. (Midvale, UT)

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Here’s an up-to-date list of all NFL Players from Hillcrest High School, Midvale, Utah.

The list includes only those players who have played in an NFL game.

See where it ranks among other schools in the state here.

NFL Players from Hillcrest HS
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Late-game sequence ignites brawl in heated college basketball game

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The No. 18 Saint Louis Billikens men’s basketball team avoided what would have been its third loss of the season Friday. 

However, the Billikens’ 88-75 Atlantic 10 Conference win over Virginia Commonwealth University was marred by a late-game brawl.

With the outcome decided and Saint Louis dribbling out the final seconds as home fans stood and cheered, VCU’s Nyk Lewis swiped the ball from Billikens guard Quentin Jones and launched a half-court shot at the buzzer.

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Saint Louis guard Robbie Avila appeared to shove Lewis during the shot attempt. Moments later, both teams’ benches emptied, and a brawl ensued.

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Saint Louis center Robbie Avila (21) drives to the basket during an Atlantic 10 Conference game against the Virginia Commonwealth Rams Feb. 20, 2026, at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis. (Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Coaches from both teams were seen pushing and shoving near midcourt before officials quickly intervened to try and restore order. After a break in the action, both teams returned to the court.

Lewis went to the free throw line and made three shows before the game officially ended.

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St. Louis coach Josh Schertz downplayed the incident, describing it as a routine flare-up that can happen in intense basketball games. 

“There were no punches thrown,” Schertz told reporters after the game. “It was a typical basketball fight, a lot of pushing and shoving and nobody did anything.”

Officials disqualified players who left the bench area during the scuffle, including Jones and VCU’s Barry Evans. 

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Saint Louis guard Isaac Holmes (12) drives to the basket as VCU Rams forward Barry Evans (5) defends during an Atlantic 10 Conference basketball game Feb. 20, 2026 at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis. (Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

VCU coach Phil Martelli Jr. suggested that heightened emotions were inevitable in a matchup between two physical teams.

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“I think there’s certainly a healthy intensity as there should be at the top of the league, right? We’ve got a lot of respect for them. I think they have some respect for us, I assume,” he said. 

“It’s two tough teams, two very competitive teams, two physical teams. Stuff like that, you wish it didn’t happen, but, yeah, it’s an intense game. It’s an emotional game.”

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VCU Rams forward Lazar Djokovic (17) holds the ball as Saint Louis forward Paul Otieno (25) defends during an Atlantic 10 Conference basketball game Feb. 20, 2026 at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis. (Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Games between Saint Louis and VCU have gotten chippy in the past, with a wild fight breaking out in the stands when the two schools met last season.

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VCU returns to Richmond next Saturday for a matchup with Fordham. Saint Louis travels to Ohio for a meeting with Dayton Feb. 24.

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Brawl between No. 18 Saint Louis and VCU leaves Rams with only 4 players on court

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One NFL FA Runner Gets Scooped Up Before Vikings Got a Chance

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Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) runs against Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) and linebacker Eric Wilson (55) during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

For the most part, the NFL’s free agency period will get pretty wild starting on Monday, March 9th. That’s the day when teams are allowed to begin chatting with other teams’ players, arriving at verbal commitments along the way.

Nothing at the present moment, though, stops teams from negotiating with the pending FA talent who are already under contract. Consider the word that emerged from Dianna Russini of The Athletic: “The Cowboys have agreed to a three-year, $24 million deal with Javonte Williams, per source, keeping the pending free agent off the market.”

Upcoming FA Re-Signs in Dallas, Vikings Miss on RB

At no point has the ground game been good enough under Kevin O’Connell.

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Sure, there are offseason promises, proving that Minnesota is willing to talk the talk. When it comes to walking the walk? Eh, that has been tougher to sustain.

Goodness, the team has even put meaty money into the issue. Signing RG1 Will Fries was about getting nastier in the trenches. So was trading for and then extending Jordan Mason, a burly runner who bowls over defenders. Continuing to employ Josh Oliver and C.J. Ham (now retired) should have led to handing the ball off.

Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings guard Will Fries (76), offensive tackle Brian O’Neill (75) and fullback C.J. Ham (30) celebrate after a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

By the end of the 2025 regular season, the 9-8 Vikings had settled in at 23rd in the NFL with 1,841 rushing yards. The 4.5 yards-per-carry average was actually in a tie for 10th in the NFL, so Minnesota was pretty efficient. Hindering the ground game was the reality of just 410 carries all year, coming in at 27th in the NFL.

Put simply, the Vikings needed far more from the ground game but just didn’t hand the ball off very much. Most befuddling was that the young passer was either hurt or struggling for most of the year, further enhancing the need for a potent rushing attack.

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Would signing Javonte Williams have made a difference for 2026 and beyond?

The 25-year-old running back is coming off his fifth NFL season. Running for the Cowboys was a nice fit, leading to him turning his 252 carries into 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns. Very healthy all around. Note that he’s 5’10” and 220 pounds, so Williams has a sturdy build.

Consider how Alec Lewis, Vikings beat writer for The Athletic, discussed the matter, “This is a pretty informative deal here for an intriguing FA running back market. Javonte is really good. Was going to be one of the best of the available bunch. Still multiple interesting names (Travis Etienne, Breece Hall, Rico Dowdle, etc).”

Nov 9, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) hands the ball off to running back Aaron Jones Sr. (33) against the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Lewis rightly notes a pair of things: there are several good players remaining while noting that Williams is himself a very good player. Fair enough.

What’s perhaps of more interest is the in-house talent. More specifically, does Aaron Jones get shown the door?

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The veteran is coming off an inefficient season where he missed quite a bit of time due to injury. At his best, Jones is a fantastic leader who exemplifies what a Vikings player should be all about: versatile, tough, competitive, and so on.

His debut season in Minnesota was great, leading to a two-year extension for $20 million. The encore season wasn’t nearly so promising. Jones had just 132 carries, 548 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Worse, he’s 31 and has a history of spending too much time in the infirmary. Williams, 25, is coming off a better season and is making an average of $8 million per season instead of the $10 million that Jones demands.

Cutting Jones would mean recouping $7,750,000, per OTC. Anything other than a cut would qualify as a surprise given the financial crunch in Minnesota.

Kevin O'Connell and J.J. McCarthy in Week 15 of 2025
Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) slaps hands with Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell after a made field goal against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images.

No matter what takes place in the offseason, one thing that’s clear is that improving the ground game needs to be a priority. Minnesota’s entire team is better when the offense has some balance.

Mason appears ready to move into 2026 as a top option, but look for RB help from both of free agency alongside the draft.

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Top star will never challenge for the AEW World Title under one condition, confirms MJF

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The AEW World Title will be on the line next month on an All Elite Wrestling pay-per-view. Defending champion MJF has now explained how the stipulation for this match will shake out, and why a top babyface will no longer be able to challenge for the belt if he stays true to his word.

Over a week ago at Grand Slam Australia, Maxwell Jacob Friedman bounced back from his prior loss to Brody King by defeating the former Hounds of Hell member and retaining his AEW Men’s World Title. Earlier on the same TV special, Adam Page defeated Andrade El Idolo to earn a shot at the strap, set for Revolution 2026. On the following episode of Dynamite, The Cowboy demanded that MJF defend the World Championship against him in a Texas Death Match, going so far as to promise that he will never challenge for the belt again if he loses.

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The Devil was cautious in his response, however, stating that he would take a week to consider Page’s proposal, and possible stipulations for their upcoming pay-per-view showdown. The implications of this angle, especially pertaining to the Hangman’s presence in the AEW World Title scene in the near future, has given birth to speculations and even some confusion on social media. However, MJF himself has now taken to X/Twitter to clear things up for fans, in characteristic fashion.

The Wolf of Wrestling explained that both he and Adam Page had to agree on the stipulation for their Revolution 2026 match, something that they will decide on next week on AEW Dynamite. Friedman also confirmed that Hangman had given his word to not contend for the World Title again if he loses next month.

“We both pitch a stipulation. We both have to agree to the stipulation. Hangman’s given his word if we do, he will never challenge for the world title again. On Wednesday we decide on the stipulation for our match. It’s not complicated. You’re just dumb.” – posted MJF.

We both pitch a stipulation. We both have to agree to the stipulation. Hangman’s given his word if we do, he will never challenge for the world title again. On Wednesday we decide on the stipulation for our match. It’s not complicated. You’re just dumb.

It remains to be seen if MJF will meet Hangman Page in Texas Death at Revolution, or whether they will agree on a different stipulation.

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MJF defended his belt in a title defense outside of AEW

In his latest defense of the “Triple B” on the independent circuit, Maxwell Jacob Friedman retained the All Elite Wrestling Men’s World Championship against Zilla Fatu this past Friday at HOG No Turning Back. The Main One put on a valiant effort against The Salt of The Earth, and nearly had the title won at one point courtesy of outside interference from Andrade El Idolo. Eventually, however, Friedman managed to submit Fatu with his signature armbar.

The latest episode of AEW Collision showed MJF confronting Andrade afterwards, and the Don Callis Family member making it clear he still had his eyes on the World Title.