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Vikings Announce the Jordan Addison Decision
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- Vikings Announce the Jordan Addison Decision
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Were it not for off-field issues, the Jordan Addison decision wouldn't have been much of a decision. The reality, though, is that there have been various problems away from the football field, creating some mini suspense until today.
The Vikings announced the decision to pickup the receiver's 5th-year option. The official word : "#Vikings Executive Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski told local media earlier today that the team plans to exercise the 5th-year option on WR Jordan Addison."
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Every draft pick gets a contract that spans four seasons. What's unique about 1st-Round selections is the team option for a 5th year, an added season of employment for a nice raise.
Tacking on the 5th year ensures that the 24-year-old WR2 sticks around for a minimum of two more years. He's carrying a $4.3 million cap charge into 2026 that will bump up to $18 million in 2027, per OTC . Afterwards, Minnesota could apply the franchise tag if an extension doesn't get sorted out.
Vikings Announce Jordan Addison 5th-Year Option
Mr. Addison has yet to fully arrive.
So far, his most productive season involved hitting 911 yards. He did so as a rookie in 2023, a season where he got bumped into the WR1 job due to Justin Jefferson needing time in the infirmary for seven games. The increased responsibility may have helped his statistical production, but note that the '23 season was the one where Minnesota cycled through Kirk Cousins , Nick Mullens , Jaren Hall , and Joshua Dobbs under center. Playing the full year with Cousins may have involved clearing the 1K threshold.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison celebrates after scoring his first NFL touchdown during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium, as the moment unfolded on Sep. 10, 2023, in Minneapolis. The rookie's early-career milestone came against Tampa Bay and marked a defining snapshot of his rapid transition into the Vikings' offense. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
Since then, the numbers have been more modest while still demonstrating promise. Consider the basics:
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2023: 70 Receptions, 911 Yards, 10 Touchdowns
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2024: 63 Receptions, 875 Yards, 9 Touchdowns
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2025: 42 Receptions, 610 Yards, 3 Touchdowns
Last year, Addison missed the early portion of the season due to suspension. His second driving-related issue meant getting dinged with a suspension. Worse yet, he got benched for a quarter while overseas on the Vikings' Week 4 and Week 5 games on the other side of the Atlantic.
Most recently, there was a small legal hubbub that got sorted out quickly after an incident at a noodle restaurant in a casino .
Truth be told, Jordan Addison isn't a bad guy. He has made some boneheaded decisions. He has then had to sort through the consequences (albeit modest). Something Kwesi Adofo-Mensah always said, though, is that Addison is a great person and player, someone well worth rallying around for the present and the future. The former GM isn't infallible, but following his lead on this topic would be wise.
Jan 7, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) catches a pass for a touchdown during second half of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
Recently, the Vikings' recruiting pitch for outside talent — especially passers — has been quite formidable.
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Come to Minnesota. Doing so will mean playing in top-tier facilities and with the resources of generous owners. Kevin O'Connell has proven to be above average as a head coach. Justin Jefferson is (at worst) among the top five receivers in the NFL. Next to him is the underrated Jordan Addison, somebody who appears ready to explode if he can get out of his own way.
Provided J.J. McCarthy takes a huge step and/or Kyler Murray plays at his usual level, Addison could clear 1,200 receiving yards while tossing up 10+ touchdowns. Doing so is well within his abilities as somebody who can absolutely scorch NFL corners.
The No. 23 selection from the 2023 NFL Draft stands out as one of the stronger draft decisions from recent Vikings history. He's still only 24 and he can be an assassin in the red zone, shaking free in a phone booth. So, too, can be put a scare into free safeties since he can take the roof off the defense.
Giving him another couple of seasons to fully unlock his abilities is a smart move.
