Former Jaguars Defensive Coordinator Ryan Nielsen Pushes for Trade to Acquire His Favorite Player from Jacksonville to Strengthen Minnesota Vikings' Offense

Minneapolis, Minnesota – February 2026

Ryan Nielsen, former defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars, is pushing for a trade to bring one of his favorite players, Eric Murray, to Minnesota. Nielsen, who was hired by the Vikings in January 2026 as their new defensive line coach and run game coordinator, believes acquiring Murray would significantly strengthen the Vikings' defense. This move is one that the Jaguars may find difficult to refuse.

Nielsen's tenure with the Jaguars lasted only one season (2024), where he worked under head coach Doug Pederson. After the 2024 season, the Jaguars chose not to retain Nielsen, opting instead for Anthony Campanile as the new defensive coordinator. Nielsen's strong leadership and player development skills during his time with Jacksonville caught the attention of the Vikings, who brought him in to fill a key role in their defense.

As the Vikings look to strengthen their roster for the 2026 season, Nielsen is focusing on a key acquisition: veteran safety Eric Murray. Murray, who signed a three-year, $22.5 million contract with the Jaguars in 2024 after coming from the Houston Texans, could be the perfect addition to the Vikings’ defense. With young safeties like Antonio Johnson, Caleb Ransaw, and Rayuan Lane III emerging as breakouts, the Jaguars may be willing to part with Murray in exchange for draft capital, allowing them to get younger and clear cap space.

According to Sports Illustrated, Murray is one of the top three offseason trade candidates for the Jaguars. His veteran leadership and experience in the secondary make him a valuable asset for any team looking to strengthen their defense, particularly those needing a seasoned player for their backfield. With the Jaguars’ secondary now focused on youth development, especially with Travis Hunter as their primary cornerback, trading Murray would allow the team to focus on its long-term plans while freeing up valuable cap space.

During their time together in Jacksonville, Nielsen and Murray built a solid professional relationship. As the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator in 2024, Nielsen designed the defense and called the plays for the secondary, including Murray. The scheme, which was heavy on man coverage, allowed Murray to thrive as both a hybrid slot/safety player and a deep safety, depending on the matchup. Murray was frequently mentioned by Nielsen in press conferences, where they discussed player development and the defense’s identity.

“Eric has always been a key part of our defensive strategy,” Nielsen said in one of their joint press conferences. “His versatility and leadership in the secondary are exactly what we need in Minnesota.”

If the trade goes through, Murray would bring invaluable experience and depth to the Vikings' secondary. While the Jaguars may be reluctant to part with a veteran leader, the financial flexibility and the emerging young talents in their defense could make this move the right decision.

The proposed trade package would likely involve a mid-to-late round pick (possibly a Day 2 or early Day 3 selection), which is considered a reasonable price for a player of Murray’s caliber. This move would help the Vikings bolster their defense, creating a more competitive team as they aim for a deeper playoff run in 2026.

While no official discussions have been confirmed, the speculation surrounding Murray’s potential move to the Vikings is growing. If completed, the trade would be one of the most significant moves of the 2026 offseason, shaking up both the Jaguars' and Vikings’ defensive outlooks for the upcoming season.