Vikings Eyeing QB Malik Willis, LB Nakobe Dean in Free Agency

Rumors swirl around Minnesota's quarterback competition and defensive free agent targets

Feb. 22, 2026 at 6:05am

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The Minnesota Vikings' rumor mill has been active since the team fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah three weeks ago. The latest buzz centers around potential quarterback Malik Willis, free agent linebacker Nakobe Dean, and wide receiver Jalen Nailor's rising market value.

Why it matters

The Vikings are in the midst of a crucial offseason as they look to rebound from a disappointing 2025 campaign. Adding a young quarterback like Willis to compete with incumbent J.J. McCarthy could provide a much-needed spark, while signing a blitz-heavy linebacker like Dean would bolster their defense under new coordinator Brian Flores. Nailor's potential departure would leave a void at wide receiver behind star Justin Jefferson.

The details

According to reports, the Vikings are considering signing free agent quarterback Malik Willis, a 2022 third-round pick who showed promise in limited action for the Green Bay Packers last season. Willis could provide competition for McCarthy, the team's 2022 first-round pick who struggled in his first year as the starter. The Vikings are also linked to free agent linebacker Nakobe Dean, who would be an ideal fit in Flores' blitz-heavy defensive scheme. Meanwhile, wide receiver Jalen Nailor is generating significant interest on the open market, with projections of a three-year, $36 million contract.

  • The Vikings fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah three weeks ago.
  • Free agency is about two weeks away.

The players

Malik Willis

A quarterback who was a 2022 third-round pick of the Green Bay Packers and showed promise in limited action last season.

Nakobe Dean

A free agent linebacker who played for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2025 and is known for his blitz-heavy style of play.

Jalen Nailor

A wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings who is set to become a free agent and is generating significant interest on the open market.

J.J. McCarthy

The Minnesota Vikings' 2022 first-round pick at quarterback, who struggled in his first year as the starter.

Brian Flores

The new defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, known for his blitz-heavy schemes.

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What they’re saying

“Sign QB Malik Willis. It might be tough for them to splurge for Love's backup, perhaps making Willis available at the start of free agency. Coach Kevin O'Connell can't hand McCarthy the starting job again unless he proves it by beating out real competition in training camp.”

— Gilberto Manzano, SI.com writer

“The Vikings have cap issues heading into free agency, but I really like the fit for Dean in coordinator Brian Flores' defense. Dean, who had four sacks with the Eagles in 2025, is the league's best blitzing linebacker, and he would join a system that led the NFL in blitz rate at 46.8%.”

— Matt Bowen, ESPN writer

“Nailor's production does not jump off the screen. The 2022 sixth-round pick had a career-high 444 receiving yards in 2025. But Nailor was playing behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, and he dealt with poor quarterback play last season.”

— Daniel Popper, The Athletic writer

What’s next

The Vikings will need to make a decision on Malik Willis and Nakobe Dean before the start of free agency in two weeks. They will also have to determine if they can afford to re-sign Jalen Nailor or if he will price himself out of their range.

The takeaway

The Vikings' offseason plans are coming into focus, with the team targeting a potential quarterback of the future in Malik Willis, a blitz-heavy linebacker in Nakobe Dean, and trying to retain their talented young wide receiver Jalen Nailor. These moves could help the Vikings rebound from a disappointing 2025 season and set them up for success in the years to come.