Vikings Say Goodbye to 1st-Round Receiver, Kwesi Trade Acquisition
After a report that teams were calling about a trade, the Vikings say goodbye to a talented receiver.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Vikings will be moving on from Jalen Reagor: “Vikings are waiving former first-round draft pick Jalen Reagor, per source.” The decision comes on the heels of the word from The NFL Network‘s Ian Rapoport that a trade was a possibility: “A name to watch: The #Vikings have received calls inquiring about the availability of former first-round WR Jalen Reagor, source said. Minnesota traded for him about a year ago.”
For whatever it’s worth, Alec Lewis of The Athletic was able to confirm both reports. Reagor is being cut and there was a bit of trade interest but nothing came together for a swap.
The Vikings Say Goodbye to Jalen Reagor
At this point, Reagor is often known for being the WR taken one spot ahead of Justin Jefferson. That’s not his fault and yet it’s part of his story.
The Eagles opted for Reagor instead of Jefferson, someone who has literally put up historically-great numbers since being picked in Minnesota. Rick Spielman laughed in real time as Philly opted against choosing Jefferson.
Moving on from Reagor opens the necessary roster spot to get Myles Gaskin on the roster. The former Dolphins RB is joining Minnesota to help solidify the RB depth.
Getting Reagor to Minnesoa cost Kwesi Adofo-Mensah a 5th and 7th. In the end, the decision to bring him aboard proved misguided. His lone season with the Vikings resulted in just 8 catches for 104 yards and a TD. Even worse, Reagor has been criticized for playing a part in Kirk Cousins’ interceptions in the wild Colts game from last season.
A pair of the moves Adofo-Mensah made last season — acquiring Ross Blacklock from the Texans and Jalen Reagor from the Eagles — have both been undone a year after finishing off the deals. So far, the Vikings’ GM has been a bit more restrained with trades than last year at this time, so one wonders if the Blacklock and Reagor trades are causing him to be more cautious.
Undoubtedly the main issue with Reagor’s performance was his inability to make a difference as a punt returner. Since Marcus Sherels left, the Vikings have struggled to find a year-in, year-out solution at that spot. Reagor’s athleticism offered the potential to have a dynamic returner but that never materialized in 2022. The team will move forward with WR5 Brandon Powell handling the punt returns.
Cutting Reagor won’t result in any financial savings for 2023. According to Sean Borman — who writes for Vikings Territory — there’s potential for added cap room in 2024: “Was able to confirm #Vikings wide receiver Jalen Reagor has offset language in his contract which would give the team a cap credit IF he were released and signed with another team. Cap credit wouldn’t be received until 2024.”
The Vikings have less than two weeks before their game against the Bucs on Sunday, September 10.
Vikings Sign a New RB