Vikings rumors give bad news on Jalen Nailor's market, possible Ryan Kelly replacements

While all the attention has rightly been on the quarterback position this offseason, the Minnesota Vikings now have a starting center to replace, and one of their key wideouts could depart in free agency, also.

Veteran center Ryan Kelly has announced his retirement from the NFL, leaving Minnesota with a gaping hole up the middle.

When it comes to possible replacements, The Athletic's Alec Lewis reported prior to Kelly's retirement that the team is expected to give Blake Brandel and Michael Jurgens looks at the position if Kelly isn't back in 2026.

"The Vikings staff liked what it saw from Brandel in his spot work at center last season. Jurgens’ smarts and work ethic give him an opportunity, too," he said.

One of the Vikings' top pending free agents is wide receiver Jalen Nailor. Lewis is reporting that Nailor is drawing interest from a ton of teams ahead of free agency.

"More than 10 teams are eyeing Vikings receiver Jalen Nailor, according to league sources," Lewis reported. "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," Lewis added.

Lewis goes on to say that the Vikings don't want to lose Nailor, but with his market expected to reach $12-15 million annually, it's hard to imagine the Vikings bringing him back when wide receiver isn't close to the top of the list of the team's needs.

Brandel was better than expected last season while filling in for Kelly. He posted Pro Football Focus grades of 61.9 in run-blocking and 67.6 in pass-blocking while surrendering three sacks and 19 total pressures in 604 snaps.

Jurgens, meanwhile, tallied a PFF run-blocking grade of 62.1 and earned a 61.3 in pass-blocking. He gave up four sacks and nine pressures in 309 snaps.

Given their lackluster cap space situation and how expensive the center market will be in free agency, we could totally see Minnesota having Jurgens and Brandel battle it out for the starting center job in 2026.

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