In need of an experienced punt returner, the Minnesota Vikings decided to make a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles to acquire former first-round pick Jalen Reagor right before the start of the 2022 season.
Drafted by the Eagles one selection before Justin Jefferson landed in the Vikings' lap in 2020, Reagor struggled to live up to his first-round expectations during his first two years in the NFL. In 28 games with Philadelphia, he caught just 64 passes for 695 yards and three touchdowns.
Reagor had a little more success as a punt returner in his two seasons with the Eagles, so Minnesota was hoping he could at least help them in that department when they gave up two 2023 Day 3 draft picks to acquire him.
Time is running out for Minnesota Vikings WR Jalen Reagor to make an impact in the NFL
No one really knew what to expect from Reagor after he joined the Vikings last year. Was he potentially just a bad fit for Philadelphia's offense, or was he more to blame for his struggles?
Minnesota quickly learned that Reagor was the one sabotaging his NFL career. He had just four offensive touches in his first nine games with the Vikings last season, and it didn't take long to realize that he wasn't going to offer the team's offense much of anything in 2022.
Reagor actually ended up appearing in all 17 of Minnesota's games and their lone playoff contest last season, but he was only on the field for a total of 144 snaps.
He finished with just eight catches for 104 yards and one touchdown in his 17 appearances. He didn't offer much as a punt returner in 2022 either, as he only averaged 6.4 yards per return (16th-best in the league) on 26 opportunities.
Reagor is now entering the final year of his contract and it could be one of his last chances to prove that he belongs in the NFL.
Just making the team has turned into a tougher task for him this offseason with the Vikings adding five new receivers to their roster during the last few months, including two (Brandon Powell and Thomas Thayer) who could challenge for the team's punt returner job.
Will a full offseason with Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell and his staff prove to be what Reagor needs to get somewhat close to reaching his full potential? Or will the former first-round pick see his career in the NFL continue to fizzle out?