Jalen Nailor, Now a Raider, Pounds the Table for Former Vikings Teammate
Jalen Nailor signed with the Las Vegas Raiders two weeks ago, but he expects big things from J.J. McCarthy, his former teammate, in the future.
Nailor’s praise for McCarthy adds context to Minnesota’s growing receiver question.
Nailor built instant rapport with McCarthy in 2025, and one could argue that he was McCarthy’s favorite target — even more so than Justin Jefferson, who is usually every Vikings quarterback’s favorite asset.
Nailor’s Exit Leaves McCarthy without a Familiar Target
Nailor bids farewell.
Nailor on McCarthy
NFL show host Kay Adams spoke with Nailor last week, and she wasn’t afraid to pick his brain about McCarthy’s development.
Nailor said about McCarthy, “He can be the guy for sure. I just feel like it’s a matter of him just still getting those reps in games and building on what he did this past year. Just try to have a clean, healthy season. If he has a clean, healthy season, I think he’ll be fine. He has all the things.”
Nailor also said about a possible quarterback battle between newcomer Kyler Murray and McCarthy, “It’s going to be a battle. I can tell you that. It’s going to be a great QB battle. I don’t know who’s going to come out on top. I’m probably rocking with my guy J.J., but you never know.”
“It’s going to bring the best out of both of them. Just to have that chip on their shoulder, to go out there and perform like their lives depend on it.”
And a final note about his love for the Vikings: “It’s all love from me to the Vikings. I wish I could still be in the purple and gold, but at the end of the day, it’s business, and you’ve got to do what’s best for myself and the situation that plays its hand. So, it’s all love. I’m a Viking for life, for sure. Maybe I could come back one day.”
The Battle to Come?
As of now, McCarthy is considered the Vikings’ QB2 because — how can a team not start Kyler Murray, the man who averages about 4,000 passing yards, 600 rushing yards, and 30 touchdowns every 17 starts?
But Nailor seems to think McCarthy will have a puncher’s chance at winning the training camp competition, which the Vikings will probably insist is a thing by the time July rolls around. Murray was the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft; he has the tools to dethrone McCarthy in a battle. He’s not a failure or long shot whose career needs a total facelift. Murray just needs to stay healthy, distribute the ball, and enjoy the fruit of the Vikings’ second-ranked defense since Brian Flores rolled into town three years ago.
Nailor + McCarthy’s Chemistry
In his first 10 career starts, McCarthy heavily favored Nailor, their strong on-field connection a testament to this reliance. McCarthy’s most accurate passes often targeted Nailor, showcasing their well-developed timing.
This established trust is invaluable for a young quarterback transitioning to the league. With Nailor’s departure, the offense will need to adapt, and McCarthy will need to cultivate a similar rapport with another receiver.
The Vikings must promote Tai Felton, a rookie from last year who barely played on offense, sign a free agent like DeAndre Hopkins, Stefon Diggs, Deebo Samuel, or Tyreek Hill, or spend another early draft pick on a wide receiver.
It’s the only way to fill the WR3 void.
New Pals in Las Vegas
The Raiders’ wide receiver corps is a significant weakness, arguably the worst in the league. With Nailor currently the projected top receiver, there’s little to suggest this group can be consistently productive. This lack of proven talent puts considerable pressure on a unit still defining its identity.
The current roster includes:
- Jalen Nailor
- Tre Tucker
- Jack Bech
- Dont’e Thornton
- Shedrick Jackson
- Justin Shorter
- Brenden Rice
- Phillips Dorsett II
This situation is further complicated by the potential selection of quarterback Fernando Mendoza from Indiana with the No. 1 pick. A rookie quarterback would desperately need reliable playmakers in such a challenging environment.
While Brock Bowers will be beneficial in the middle of the field, the Raiders’ most pressing need is a significant upgrade at wide receiver. It’s unclear if they’ll find that in the draft.
So, all signs point to Nailor perhaps feasting in Sin City while his buddy either embarks on a quarterback battle or serves as the QB2 behind Murray.
Nailor averages 266 receiving yards per season, meaning the Raiders are betting on a tremendous breakout, as the speed demon has never tabulated over 450 yards in a single campaign. Maybe he’ll be Mendoza’s go-to pass-catcher like the McCarthy setup.
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