The Minnesota Vikings were running up against the clock with wide receiver Jordan Addison, whose tenure has featured on-field brilliance mixed with intermittent missteps when not in uniform.
Addison is a former first-round pick. That status often leads to additional opportunities to right the ship than other players with a lesser draft pedigree receive.
For the Vikings, though, the decision was probably clearer than the timeline might suggest.
Vikings Announce Contract Decision on Jordan Addison
GettyThe Minnesota Vikings finally announced their recent decision on Jordan Addison.
Addison, who turned 24 in January, caught 42 passes for 610 yards and 3 touchdowns in 14 games for the Vikings last season.
Addison missed the first two contests while serving a suspension due to an offseason arrest, his second since the Vikings drafted him 23rd overall in 2023. Those off-field transgressions have led to doubts about Addisonâs future with the Vikings, including sparking trade speculation.
At the very least, the Vikings are looking to give themselves a longer runway.
âThe #Vikings have officially exercised Jordan Addisonâs 5th-year option,â the Vikings posted on X on April 27.
Fans in the comments were quick to point out Addisonâs off-field troubles, the latest of which includes a trespassing charge that authorities later dropped, per Seifert in January. Some noted that this would be like rewarding Addison rather than holding him accountable.
The decision can be a stepping stone toward extension talks.
âAddison is now set to make $18 million guaranteed in the final year of his rookie deal,â Pro Football Talkâs Mike Florio wrote on April 27. âThe No. 23 overall pick of the 2023 draft, Addison has been productive in each of his three seasons, playing alongside one of the leagueâs top receivers in Justin Jefferson.
âAddison is extension eligible, having completed his third season. The fifth-year option could be a starting point for negotiations on a long-term deal.â
Addison has 175 catches for 2,396 yards and 22 touchdowns for the Vikings in 46 career games.
Kevin OâConnell Put Jordan Addison on Notice
GettyMinnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell made it clear what they expect from Jordan Addison.
The Vikingsâ decision, which ownership announced in March and commented on last week, came with a heads-up reminder for Addison from head coach Kevin OâConnell.
âFrom a talent standpoint, and his impact, it was really felt immediately when Jordan first arrived here. And what heâs brought to our offense, and his ability to really dynamically complement Justin [Jefferson]. And I view Jordan as one of the top-tier, quote-unquoteâif you want to call himâNo. 2s in the league, and that is not in any way shape or form negative when weâre talking about that other guy being Justin Jefferson,â OâConnell told reporters on April 20 of the decision.
âHe was an incredibly young player when he got into the NFL, and heâs learned some lessons over the years. And I think he understands itâs a critical time in his career. His ability to have an impact, doing what he loves, which is playing football. Loves playing football as much as anybody we have in this organization. We need to make sure that he understands where heâs at now, and the growth, and all those things, and what that equals, and I think he does, and Iâm excited to get going with him this year.â
Picking Addisonâs option keeps him under team control and can serve as a jumping-off point for extension talks. But it also does not guarantee Addisonâs long-term security. That puts the onus on the Vikingsâ young star to stay out of trouble.
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