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Vikings Lose Wide Receiver and Punter in First Wave of Free Agent Signings
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- Vikings Lose Wide Receiver and Punter in First Wave of Free Agent Signings
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The long-awaited NFL negotiating period began Monday, and — unless you are a Minnesota Vikings fan — the first wave of signings did not disappoint, as hundreds of millions of dollars were verbally agreed upon within the first few hours of the opening bell.
Minnesota made one signing, about an hour in, agreeing to terms with free agent cornerback, James Pierre , who spent the first four years of his career in Pittsburgh . It's still early, but that's the only player Minnesota has acquired so far.
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Minnesota Vikings lose Ryan Wright to Saints
On top of their one unofficial addition, the Vikings also lost two 2025 contributors to free agent deals elsewhere. The first to go was 25-year-old punter Ryan Wright, who's been booting footballs in Minnesota since his rookie season in 2022.
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Now, the 6'3″ 245 lb punter out of Tulane is heading back to the bayou where he's reportedly scheduled to make a handsome $14 million ($8 million guaranteed) over the next four years as a member of the New Orleans Saints.
Another big punter deal: Former Vikings punter Ryan Wright is signing a four-year, $14 million deal that includes $8 million guaranteed with the Saints, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2026
Ryan Wright punted 65 times last season , posting career highs in both NET yards per punt (44.5) and yards per punt (49.0), which ranked 7th highest among 47 qualified NFL punters in 2025.
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Over the course of his pro career, Ryan Wright has punted 253 times, totalling over 12,000 total punt yards over his four seasons. The longest punt of his professional career came last season, a 77-yard bomb that came in Dublin vs the Cleveland Browns , which also happened to be the longest punt in all of football during the 2025 season.
Punter highlight! Ryan Wright booms a 77-yarder to the goal line. 🇬🇧 @NFLUKIRE
MINvsCLE on @nflnetwork
Also streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/XBSMjllE1m— NFL (@NFL) October 5, 2025
Because Wright is a punter, his decision to sign elsewhere Monday will catch many Minnesota Vikings fans by surprise, something that cannot be said for the next player they lost this afternoon.
Jalen Nailor scooped up by Raiders
If you've been paying any attention whatsoever to the Vikings wide receiver room over the past year or two, then the news that 27-year-old wide receiver Jalen Nailor agreeing to terms today with the spend-happy Las Vegas Raiders was the most unsurprising part of your week so far.
Raiders have agreed to terms with WR Jalen Nailor on a three year, $35 million deal including $23 million guaranteed, per Ken Sarnoff and Joe DiBenedetto of 1 Of 1 Agency. pic.twitter.com/1CGC4CcSLu
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2026
Nailor knew he was playing for a contract with his next team in 2025, and he took advantage, posting the best season of his career with 444 yards and 4 touchdowns on 29 receptions — all career highs while being utilized in one of the worst passing offenses in Minnesota Vikings history.
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But not only did he show the Saints that he can put up decent numbers, when targeted. More importantly for New Orleans, Nailor proved that he can be productive with a young QB who needs a ton of development, just like the Saints new 26-year-old QB, Tyler Shough .
During his four years in Minnesota, Jalen Nailor played 55 total games, catching 69 passes for 1066 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also averaged 15.3 yards per reception with a 11.8 yard ADOT (average depth of target).
Raiders WR Jalen Nailor pic.twitter.com/jO7csttHA1
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) March 9, 2026
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