標籤: hosting

While there was a lot of criticism from the outside, especially after ‘reaching’ with the 18th overall pick for defensive tackle Caleb Banks, the Minnesota Vikings are happy with the results of their 2026 NFL Draft class. However, that doesn’t mean that the nine selections they made met all of their needs.

One noticeable absence was the fact that the Vikings did not select any wide receivers. It came as a surprise when the team let last year’s WR3, Jalen Naylor, sign with the Las Vegas Raiders. His potential replacement, last year’s third-round pick Tai Felton, had only 25 yards as a rookie.

Still, the Vikings freed up some extra cap space with the Jonathan Greenard trade, and now they’re trying to use some of it to address arguably one of their biggest needs.

According to ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Vikings are hosting free agent receiver Jaun Jennings for a visit from Tuesday through Wednesday. By setting up two-day meetings, it’s clear the Vikings are applying a full-court press, trying to get Jennings signed to a contract before he leaves the team facilities on Wednesday.

Jennings recorded a career-high 77 receptions for 965 yards with six touchdowns in 2024. Hoping to build on those strong numbers, the 28-year-old receiver’s numbers took off in 2025, where he recorded 55 receptions for 643 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns.

However, when he reached free agency, Jennings did not find the market he would have liked. Perhaps his asking price was a bit high.

Now that teams have addressed their most pressing needs through free agency and the draft, Jennings’ options have dried up, and they will certainly have to lower his asking price.

The 6-foot-3, 212-pound receiver should have an easy transition learning Kevin O’Connell’s offense, as he has just spent five seasons mastering Kyle Shanahan’s system. He will also add a unique element to the team’s receiver room, adding even more size to the table.

If he signs, Jennings will immediately become the team’s new No. 3 receiver, falling behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, and he will give Kyler Murray another reliable pass-catcher to target in the red zone.

RELATED: Minnesota Vikings had one of the NFL’s ‘worst’ draft classes

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After hosting both nights of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, John Cena went to X to hint at some of the actions for Backlash weekend in Tampa on May 9.

“My business could be at WWE Backlash,” Cena wrote. “Sadly, the years have flown by. I’m still trying to do something epic in Tampa for 5/9. I promised Club WWE something special… stay tuned.”

Whatever he’s planning for Tampa won’t involve in-ring competition, which is in line with his retirement from active wrestling in December. Specific details about what he promised Club WWE members are unknown, but the language he used – “something epic” – indicates it’s more than a casual appearance.

Cena retired from in-ring competition after losing to Gunther in the main event of Saturday Night Live in December, before returning to WWE television as host of WrestleMania 42. There have been notable changes to the Backlash card since WrestleMania 42.

A previously planned tag team match pitting Pat McAfee and Randy Orton against Cody Rhodes and Jelly Roll has been pulled from the show. According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, McAfee opted out of the arena following negative fan reaction to Rhodes and Orton’s involvement at the WrestleMania 42 event, a direction driven by TKO CEO Ari Emanuel rather than WWE creative itself.

McAfee honored the stipulation he made before WrestleMania – that if Orton failed to win the title he would leave wrestling forever – by announcing on his ESPN show that his time in wrestling was over.

Backlash 2026 will take place on Sunday, May 9 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, streaming live on the ESPN app in the United States.