Vikings Reportedly Decline 5th-Year Option on ‘Other’ WR
Dustin Baker
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One week ago, the Minnesota Vikings opted to exercise wide receiver Justin Jefferson’s contractual fifth-year option, affixing the phenom talent to the roster [at least] until the end of 2024. Jefferson will earn $19.74 in his rookie deal’s final season.
But such was not the case for Jefferson’s teammate, Jalen Reagor.
Vikings Decline 5th-Year Option on ‘Other’ WR
The Vikings will reportedly decline Reagor’s final year, per NFL.com, “The Eagles, who originally drafted Reagor, traded him to the Vikings in August 2022. Minnesota is expected to decline Reagor’s option, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported on May 2.”
The Vikings decision does nothing to stifle Reagor in 2023; he’s on the active roster at the moment and may make the 53-man roster at the end of summer if he nudges newcomer free agent Brandon Powell from the depth chart. But beyond 2023, his future is uncertain.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could finagle a deal with Reagor next March, akin to what Minnesota did with center Garrett Bradbury. The Vikings said no thanks to Bradbury’s chunky fifth-year option, instead keeping him around on a three-year extension two months ago.
Reagor would’ve earned $12.9 million in 2024 if the Vikings opted in.
Minnesota traded a 2023 7th-Round pick and conditional 2024 5th-Rounder to the Philadelphia Eagles for Reagor last August, a move lauded by fans at the time. Yet, Reagor didn’t produce as expected during his Vikings maiden voyage, making Tuesday’s decision pretty straightforward.
Adofo-Mensah also hedged the bet on the Reagor trade last weekend, and most onlookers didn’t realize it. The Vikings traded back 15 spots in Round 4 (from Pick 119 to 134) and scooped a 2024 5th-Rounder from the Kansas City Chiefs. Minnesota later selected Jay Ward (S, LSU), while Kansas City grabbed Chamarri Conner (CB, Virginia Tech). The 2024 5th-Round pick replaces the capital lost to the Eagles in the Reagor trade.
Reagor grabbed 8 receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown in 2022. Of all 31 players who returned 15 or more punts in 2022, Reagor’s 6.2 yards per return ranked 31st in the NFL. He simply didn’t catch on in Year Three, and we shall see if his fourth season is any different.
The TCU alumnus is only 24 years old, has a 1st-Round pedigree, and owns the physical tools to become productive in an offense and on special teams. He frustratingly had an awful game in December against the Indianapolis Colts, arguably costing a then-struggling Vikings offense two interceptions because of poor route-running. For his 2023 adventure with the club, that’s what fans remember until Reagor erases the memory.
Reagor is 9.5 months younger than Vikings rookie QB Jaren Hall.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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