Even though he had a down year in 2025, Justin Jefferson is the Minnesota Vikings’ No. 1 receiver in 2026. Everyone acknowledges that.
The question becomes who is Minnesota’s No. 2 of the future, as Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor’s contracts end soon. Nailor’s ends this offseason, and Addison’s is up next year; meanwhile, Addison’s off-field behavior continues to give the team headaches.
Who is under center next year will influence which receivers Minnesota keeps. Still, it’s evident who they should sign to be their No. 2 of the future. And it’s the player who wears the jersey No. 1.
Value
The long and short of it all, the Vikings are trending towards a proverbial cap hell. They will be $35.9 million over the cap going into the offseason. That’s easily the biggest reason to allocate more funds to Nailor over Addison.
While this cap affects the 2026 roster, it could become a recurring issue given the team’s talent level. Addison could command WR1 money if he hits the open market.
On the other hand, Nailor has become a valuable depth receiver. The Vikings could pay him less than Addison will ask for, allowing the team to allocate funds to needed positions, such as defensive backs and the offensive line.
What They Offer
Addison and Nailor offer versatile skill sets, and the 2025 Vikings saw flashes of their playmaking abilities throughout the season. Both are extremely athletic and have shown their speed multiple times this season, but there are a few key differences that separate them.
Addison showed his big-play ability on Christmas Day against the Detroit Lions. However, where he excels is his ability to shed defenders mid-route, making his route running an asset to this team.
Draft pundits saw his ability to effectively run complex routes as a major asset when the Vikings selected him in the first round of the 2023 draft. Combining his route-running ability with body control on the sidelines to make spectacular plays for the offense shows why he is such an asset.
Nailor’s “Speedy” nickname says all that anyone needs to know about his game. He gets up the field in a hurry, and with Jefferson on the other side taking the coverage with him, Nailor finds himself all alone behind the defense.
Nailor is starting to become a sixth-round steal for the Vikings, who drafted him in 2022. Injuries he’s sustained before joining the team and throughout his career have kept him off the field for extended periods. When Nailor comes back, he seems only to get better.
He also led the Vikings in yards per reception this season at 15.3, further providing proof that he was a consistent downfield security blanket for J.J. McCarthy.
Addison’s abilities, plus his potentially moderate cap hit, would create a steep decline in other important positions. Holding on to Nailor creates speed mismatches across the board between him and any defensive back. It gives the team more flexibility to create an effective roster, further allowing Jefferson to do what he does best.
Other factors
While the value for what each player brings to the table is most important when constructing a team, other factors could make Adofo-Mensah’s decision to let Addison go a little easier.
Looking at additional on-field factors, the Vikings have receivers on affordable contracts, such as 2025 rookies Tai Felton and Myles Price, who have shown bursts in the return game. At some point, the team needs to determine exactly what they have with each young receiver and whether more receivers need to be scouted for future draft classes.
Addison has also had trouble off the field, making him less reliable than Nailor. When Addison missed three weeks this season due to a suspension for a “wet reckless” driving infraction, Nailor proved to be an important piece, further evidence that he is worth considering as a perfect No. 2 behind Jefferson.
Unfortunately, Addison could miss more time due to an ongoing off-field incident that may affect his 2026 season. This is Addison’s third arrest since being drafted by the team.
On the other hand, Nailor is very quiet both on and off the field, making him a secret weapon within the Vikings receiving corps. He’s not just Speedy, he’s stealthy.
Nailor is not better than Addison in any way, shape, or form. Having Nailor as the No. 2 wideout is more about value.
The Vikings have had the luxury of rostering two WR1s consistently the past few seasons. Given the amount of money on the table for Addison with the right team, the decision to let him play out his contract or trade him allows more flexibility from a financial standpoint.
The Carolina Panthers or New England Patriots could use Addison, and the Vikes could get draft capital or a player with less of a cap hit in a trade. Meanwhile, holding on to Nailor keeps a secondary deep threat opposite Jefferson, taking the top off any defense.
The Vikings should sign No. 1, because he feels he is the perfect No. 2 for the future.
