5 Likely Landing Spots if Jalen Nailor Leaves the Vikings

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5 Likely Landing Spots if Jalen Nailor Leaves the Vikings

5 Likely Landing Spots if Jalen Nailor Leaves the Vikings — Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor aligns at the line of scrimmage during NFC Wild Card action against the Los Angeles Rams on Jan 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The snap reflected Nailor's rotational role as Minnesota mixed personnel while navigating a postseason environment on a neutral-site stage. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

Dustin Baker · Vikings Territory

Sun, Jan 18, 2026 ·

6 min read

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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor 's contract is up , and he could ask for an extension worth $5 million per year; he could request $12 million. Nobody knows. Minnesota probably couldn't afford the latter, meaning Nailor is fair game to depart via free agency . So, here's where he might land.

Nailor's next stop comes down to which offenses need a vertical WR3/WR4, can stomach the price tag, and have vacancies.

Nailor has shown flashes of promise through four seasons with the Vikings, but the consistency has lagged, even if the speedster built rapport with J.J. McCarthy in 2025.

Where Jalen Nailor Fits if He Departs Minnesota

Where might Nailor end up? These are the destinations ranked ascendingly (No. 1 = most likely landing spot for Nailor)

Seattle Seahawks helmet positioned on the sideline before a game at Lambeau Field. Jalen Nailor landing spots. — A Seattle Seahawks helmet rests along the sideline as pregame preparations unfold inside Lambeau Field, capturing a quiet moment before kickoff during an August matchup. On Aug. 23, 2025, the scene reflected the calm before competition, with equipment staged and stadium energy slowly building ahead of the Seahawks' road contest in Green Bay. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images.

5. Seattle Seahawks

When Seattle gets to the offseason, it will look down at a depth chart with three main wide receivers: Jaxon Smith-Njigba , Cooper Kupp , and Tory Horton .

Smith-Njigba is absolutely phenomenal, Kupp is old, and Horton is blooming. This group could use Nailor's speed, especially if Rasheed Shaheed departs in free agency . There's also the Sam Darnold angle: Nailor filled the job as Darnold's WR3 in 2024.

The Seahawks have more than $70 million to use on free agents in March.

4. Kansas City Chiefs

Three Chiefs wideouts are in line to test free agency:

That will leave Kansas City with the embattled Rashee Rice under contract, along with Xavier Worthy and Jalen Royals . Nailor would fit if Kansas City could circumvent cap hell; it is further underwater monetarily than the Vikings (-$63 million).

SI.com 's Jared Feinberg wrote about the Chiefs' WR roster need a couple of weeks ago, "Look, I love Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice. They are the future at the position, and it should not be disputed overall."

"However, they are in desperate need of a reliable chains mover who can be called upon in the short and intermediate levels of the field, especially with that role ( Kelce ) about to become absent, so look for the Chiefs to find their version of what the Jacksonville Jaguars have done with Jakobi Meyers ."

3. Los Angeles Rams

Sometimes, it feels like the Rams and Vikings share players back and forth, mainly because head coach Kevin O'Connell arrived on the scene in Minnesota from Los Angeles four years ago. Players like Brandon Powell , Johnny Mundt , and David Quessenberry, among others, played for both teams.

Why not Nailor next?

Tutu Atwell will become a free agent in seven weeks, and Nailor may not quite command Atwell's $10 million price tag.

This WR crops in Los Angeles could cook:

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

Based on sheer pass-catching bodies, this might be the wisest fit for Nailor.

A Steelers WR room with Nailor would resemble this setup:

Why is this room so skimpy? Simple — the Steelers traded George Pickens to Dallas . Now, they're light on wide receiver. Funny how that works.

Steelers general manager Omar Khan talking on the phone before a game in Pittsburgh. — Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan speaks on the phone near the field as game-day operations continue at Acrisure Stadium. On Nov. 17, 2024, Khan remained engaged in pregame coordination ahead of Pittsburgh's divisional matchup, navigating last-minute logistics while personnel decisions and roster management remained ongoing during the regular season grind. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images.

Nailor to Pittsburgh could also generate more buzz if the Steelers hire Brian Flores as their next skipper. Mike Tomlin resigned after nearly 20 years at the helm this week.

Still Curtain 's Tommy Jaggi on the Pittsburgh WR offseason need : "Just when it looked like the Pittsburgh Steelers were going to have a two-headed monster at the wide receiver position with DK Metcalf and George Pickens , Omar Khan traded Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys in May. Now this team is back to square one."

"At roughly $33 million per season in new money average, we could argue that Metcalf is overpaid. But there's also no question that he's the best receiving option on the team — and he's in desperate need of a counterpart who could help alleviate the pressure from him. That need has only gotten more glaring with his suspension keeping him out against the Browns in Week 17."

Indeed, Metcalf cannot do it alone.

"Roman Wilson showed flashes, but hasn't taken the step forward fans expected in his second NFL season. Meanwhile, the Steelers haven't invested a first-round pick in the wide receiver position since taking Santonio Holmes 20 years ago. Wide receiver might be the second most important position in the NFL besides quarterback, and this team is desperate for an upgrade in the starting lineup," Jaggi added.

1. Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders should be considered the frontrunner to land Nailor for two reasons, and they're pretty straightforward:

Nailor attended high school in Las Vegas , so he's from there
The Raiders have the single-worst WR corps in the NFL

Jalen Nailor attempts a catch while defended by Tre'von Moehrig at Allegiant Stadium. — Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor stretches for a contested catch as Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig closes in during second-half action. On Dec. 10, 2023, the play unfolded at Allegiant Stadium, highlighting a tightly defended target as both players battled through traffic in a high-leverage passing moment. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

Because Las Vegas needs all the help it can get at WR, Nailor makes all the sense in the world to land on Tom Brady 's team. The Raiders might even overpay to get him. It's a perfect setup for the speed demon, where he can get the biggest payday and the most passing game targets. A win-win.

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