Story by
Vikings Rumors Swirl around Kyler Murray Time, Jalen Nailor, T.J. Hockenson
- Story by
- Vikings Rumors Swirl around Kyler Murray Time, Jalen Nailor, T.J. Hockenson
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
It's the second-to-last batch of Minnesota Vikings rumor mill before free agency , which starts on Monday with the "legal tampering" process. There is no shortage of hearsay regarding the purple team.
Three Vikings storylines gained steam before free agency opened.
Advertisement
This week, it's all about Kyler Murray and a couple of Vikings pass-catchers.
Minnesota's Quarterback, Receiver, and Tight End Buzz — Intensified
The Purple Rumor Mill for March 7th, 2026.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) drops back during action against the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, Sep 8, 2019. The rookie first overall pick maneuvered the pocket and looked downfield while making one of his early NFL starts during the season-opening matchup. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports that afternoon.
Rumor: The Vikings are the odds-on favorite to land Kyler Murray.
Sportsbooks offer odds on nearly everything in 2026, and Murray's next destination has entered that mix.
NBC Sports' Mike Florio wrote on Wednesday , "The Cardinals will release quarterback Kyler Murray next week. Where will he land? DraftKings has the Vikings as the early favorites to sign the first overall pick in the 2019 draft, at -110. The Jets are next at +175, with the Dolphins at +320 and the Browns at +450."
Advertisement
"The Falcons , at +500, are one of the most intriguing options, given their talent elsewhere on offense. As mentioned over the weekend, however, new president of football operations Matt Ryan (a 6'5″ former quarterback) will have to be content to ride with an undersized signal caller."
At the moment, Minnesota sits in the pole position to land Murray, likely via a one-year prove-it arrangement at the league minimum.
The Vikings also lead the way in other betting markets like Kalshi, and they do so overwhelmingly. Murray to Minnesota — probably sometime next week — is no longer a hot take. It's probably going to happen.
Rumor: Jalen Nailor will have a robust free-agent market.
Advertisement
When the calendar flipped to January, Vikings fans had little clarity on Nailor's free agency outlook. One path involved a modest return to Minnesota for roughly $4 million per season. Another involved a crowded market. As early March unfolds, the latter scenario appears likely.
The Athletic' s Alec Lewis scribed Tuesday , "More than 10 teams are eyeing Vikings receiver Jalen Nailor, according to league sources. Nailor recently turned 27 and will be one of the more coveted free-agent wide receivers next week. Even though he has caught only 69 NFL passes and never reached 450 yards in a season, multiple evaluators think he has the potential to become a priority signing."
"The Vikings don't want to lose Nailor. The coaches — especially receivers coach Keenan McCardell — have watched him progress into one of their best developmental stories. He can absorb a complex playbook. He is a willing run blocker. He possesses vertical speed, and he displays separation ability, too. One NFC executive posited that he could see Nailor producing an 80-catch season in the near future."
That blurb points toward a player approaching a meaningful payday.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (1) accelerates upfield for yardage during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Nov 16, 2025. Nailor turned a short reception into extra yards while Minnesota pushed the drive forward late in the division rivalry. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images in front of the home crowd.
Lewis added, "Nailor's contract will match that level of production. He could be in line for a three-year deal worth an average annual value of between $12 million and $15 million, league sources said."
Advertisement
"By comparison, Giants receiver Darius Slayton signed a three-year contract worth $36 million a couple of seasons ago. Minnesota isn't likely to spend big at receiver, given that it has plenty of other needs."
Nailor's days in Minnesota feel numbered.
Rumor: T.J. Hockenson will accept a paycut.
Lewis also chimed in on Minnesota's broader free-agency outlook, including a potential adjustment to Hockenson's contract.
"The Vikings are prepared to make difficult decisions to alleviate their salary-cap concerns. Don't expect a big-name free-agent splurge like last year. The Vikings are $40-plus million over the cap, and while that isn't dire, it is significant. Pay cuts: Minnesota wants to lower the cap number for tight end T.J. Hockenson. He is amenable to lowering it, but the outcome is largely a matter of how low the Vikings want to go," he wrote.
Advertisement
Before news of a potential pay cut emerged, Hockenson was widely expected to be traded, released, or undergo a standard restructure that would involve salary shifts without reducing his overall pay. Now, an outright pay cut is on the table.
Beyond Hockenson, Minnesota has Josh Oliver , Gavin Bartholomew , Ben Yurosek , and Bryson Nesbit under contract at tight end through 2026.
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Dec 7, 2025. Hockenson reacted emphatically as teammates gathered around following the second-half score that energized the home crowd. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images during the fourth-quarter surge for Minnesota as fans roared inside the stadium.
Realistically, none of these players seems ready to be a TE1 this season unless they show significant improvement during training camp. This situation could lead Minnesota to explore free agent options such as Isaiah Likely , Darren Waller , or Cade Otton .
Advertisement
The upcoming NFL draft in April also offers an opportunity to find a solution. Several intriguing tight end prospects are expected to be available in the early rounds, with Kenyon Sadiq from Oregon and Eli Stowers from Vanderbilt having impressed scouts at the NFL Combine last week.
A source told VikingsTerritory this week that Minnesota "will rip up" Hockenson's contract and totally redo it, suggesting the paycut is on the way.
