The Philadelphia Eagles are trading former first-round receiver Jalen Reagor to the Minnesota Vikings for a 2023 seventh-round pick and a 2024 conditional fourth-round selection, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday, per sources. The Vikings later confirmed the trade, along with the waiving of receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette.
The deal brings an end to Reagor's beleaguered career in Philadelphia, and allows him a fresh start with a team taking its own first steps into a new era.
Reagor's time in the City of Brotherly Love was far from joyous. The 2020 first-round pick arrived as what Eagles fans hoped would be the unquestioned top receiver for the franchise for years to come, but he never came close to fulfilling that dream. Instead, Reagor, who was the No. 21 overall pick in 2020, struggled as a rookie, catching just 31 of 54 targets in 11 games, and missed five games due to a torn ligament in his thumb.
Reagor had 2021 available to him to rehab his image and get back on track. Then the Eagles selected Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith, who became the No. 1 receiver Philadelphia hoped Reagor would be. When the 2021 postseason arrived, Reagor again had issues, muffing two punts and losing one of them in a wild-card loss to the Buccaneers.
The addition of A.J. Brown and upside of Quez Watkins meant the Eagles would be fine without Reagor, a seemingly likely candidate to get cut at the deadline.
He instead made the 53-man roster and lasted less than 24 hours.
The Vikings acquired Reagor for a compensation package that was larger than most would expect. Frankly, the fact the Eagles got anything for Reagor is a win for general manager Howie Roseman.
Despite the negative tone above, Minnesota sees an opportunity with Reagor. The Vikings have a quarterback who has proven he can connect with a variety of targets, and Minnesota has a stellar duo in Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. K.J. Osborn looms as a promising player, and Michigan State product Jalen Nailor will spend 2022 getting his feet wet in the NFL.
All of this is to say Reagor has virtually no pressure on him in Minnesota. Instead of carrying the crushing weight of first-round expectations, Reagor can acclimate at his pace and hope to capitalize when opportunities arise.
In the end, the Eagles admit they swung and missed on Reagor. But neither team is hurting too much because of it.
