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What Should the Vikings Do with Jordan Addison?
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- What Should the Vikings Do with Jordan Addison?
Steven Bisig
The future of Jordan Addison will be discussed over the coming months, as a decision on his fifth-year option must be made. With the man who drafted him relieved of his duties last week, it adds another wrinkle to the question of what the Vikings do with Jordan Addison. Decision time is looming in Minnesota.
Decision Point on Jordan Addison Looms
The Vikings selected Addison with the 23rd overall pick of the 2023 draft. As one of the few successful draft picks by Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the former GM might have been extra keen to keep him around. Leading that decision now is Rob Brzezinski and whoever the new GM will be thereafter. Minnesota has until May to make a decision on Addison, which will cost them $18 million according to Over The Cap's projection. It's a hefty price tag that needs consideration.
Dec 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) shares a fired-up moment with quarterback Sam Darnold (14) following a third-quarter touchdown against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Addison has plenty of ability, and while he has had to play second fiddle to Justin Jefferson, he has proved he can be a top WR in this league. The issues with Addison are off the field, and his habit of getting into trouble with the law whenever he's away from the team during the offseason.
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Hopes of maturity took a blow when he found himself in trouble again last month after being arrested for trespassing at a casino in Florida. The charges were dropped, but the ongoing trouble he faces when away from the team is a concern.
Should the Vikings Cash In?
Suppose the Vikings aren't thinking about a long-term multi-year deal down the road for Addison. Now could be the right time to cash in with a trade. They could have the perfect partner in San Francisco. The 49ers are expected to be aggressive this offseason in trades after falling short again in the playoffs.
They need to improve at wide receiver, with their first-round pick from two years ago, Ricky Pearsall, having continued injury problems, and Brandon Aiyuk expected to have played his last due to his injury record.
Oct 23, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) looks on after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
The 49ers need a standout WR, and this is a deal that could suit everyone. San Francisco gets its WR, Minnesota gets draft capital and/or possibly another QB (if they can get Mac Jones as part of the deal), and Addison potentially gets the chance to be a team's lead receiver. It's a deal that makes plenty of sense, so it's something to keep an eye on as the offseason progresses.
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Final Decision
We will find out in due course what the Vikings decide to do. Addison is the type of player you want on your roster. He can have an impact on the passing game in both the short, intermediate, and deep routes thanks to his route-running ability. He has also shown he can make plays on the ground on jet sweeps – something he should be used for more often.
Vikings executive Rob Brzezinski speaks with Vikings.com's Gabe Henderson during a sit-down discussion on Feb 17, 2022, outlining organizational philosophy, front-office processes, and the hiring of head coach Kevin O'Connell, offering insight into Minnesota's leadership structure and long-term football operations approach. Mandatory Credit: YouTube
Ultimately, his off-field antics cast a question mark over Addison, and if I were making the decisions, I would at least be exploring the trade market. For the right deal, I'd be willing to let Addison loose. Will the right deal materialize? The same reasons the Vikings might want to move Addison on are the ones that will make other teams wary of giving up too much to get him.
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I expect Addison will stay with the Vikings this season, and the team will pick up the fifth-year option. Before a big multi-year contract comes his way, Addison needs a quiet couple of years away from the field.
