Bleacher Report Names a New Trade Destination for Jordan Addison

The Minnesota Vikings have two more years of control over wide receiver Jordan Addison’s rookie contract, but because the electric playmaker can’t stay out of trouble off the field, some have speculated that he could be traded. And last week, Bleacher Report‘s Alex Ballentine mentioned the Kansas City Chiefs as a landing spot.

Minnesota may keep Addison, but the market chatter keeps widening, and Kansas City now shows up as a logical “call-and-ask” team.

To date this offseason, Addison has been whispered as a trade candidate for the San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills. It’s time to unofficially add the Chiefs to the mix.

Bleacher Report Adds the Chiefs to Jordan Addison Trade Chatter

Minnesota probably won’t trade Addison, but the theories are out there.

BR: Addison to Chiefs Might Make Sense

Balletine sized up trade targets for every team, and when he got the Chiefs, he wrote, “There’s still room for a smart GM like Brett Veach to add talent to the roster that won’t hurt their cap situation. For instance, Jordan Addison is now extension-eligible, but the Vikings will have a new general manager.”

“Minnesota could be looking to move on from Addison after he was arrested and charged with misdemeanor trespassing. The charges were later dropped, but he’s had mutliple arrests since being draft. He could get a fresh start in Kansas City. He would only account for a $2.6 million cap hit this season.”

The Chiefs finished 6-11 last season, a signifcant fall from grace for a team arguably in the middle of a dynasty.

The Chiefs’ Would-Be WR Room

The Chiefs own the ninth pick in April’s draft — which could be prime territory to pick the best running back in the class, Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love — and will probably draft a defensive player, based on the current mock-draft consensus.

If so, assuming Bleacher Report‘s Addison prediction comes true, Kansas City would be looking at an WR corps like this in 2026, before adding any free agents or rookies:

• Rashee Rice
• Jordan Addison
• Xavier Worthy
• Jalen Royals
• Jimmy Holliday
• Jason Browlne
• Andrew Armstrong

And you know what? With a healthy Patrick Mahomes back, that group would do the trick (and then some), even if tight end Travis Kelce retires.

The Viking Age‘s Brad Berreman opined last week on the idea of Addison to the Chiefs, “Since trading away Tyreek Hill a few years ago, the Chiefs have struggled to get consistent production from their wide receivers despite some notable draft investments. Tight end Travis Kelce is no longer in a stage of his career where he can cover up that deficit, and the offense has shown cracks at times despite Patrick Mahomes’ best efforts.”

“The Vikings have a lot of things to consider when it comes to trading Addison this offseason. Where does he currently sit on the talent/worth the trouble spectrum after another off-field incident? Coming off his worst season, where is his trade value? Would picking up his fifth-year option help or hurt that trade value?”

The Chiefs’ offense ranked 11th in EPA per play this season.

Berreman continued, “The more teams that may be interested in trading for Addison, the better it’ll be for the Vikings if they want to move him. The Chiefs could be more motivated than most other suitors to best every other offer, as they try to get back to the top of the AFC.”

“Finding a lower-salary option at wide receiver, who they can see about before committing to long-term, would seem to be in the Chiefs’ wheelhouse. That’s also a space in the trade market Addison occupies fairly uniquely, with some proven production on his resume to bolster the fit.”

The Trade Price

Addison has several legal strikes against him through three seasons in the pros, and he’s never topped over 920 receiving yards in a season. Vikings fans know firsthand that he’s electric and very capable of holding down a WR1 job if given the chance, but the rest of the league won’t pay a 1st-Rounder for him. The production and legal woes prevent it.

Therefore, Minnesota’s compensation for Darnold would likely center around a 2nd-Round pick. Other picks may be involved to balance trade scales, but the Vikings should not settle for anything less than 2nd-Rounder to get negotiations off the ground.

It’s also worth noting that new interim general manager Rob Brzezinski has until May to decide whether Addison’s fifth-year rookie contractual option is worth it. Most expect the Vikings to exercise it.

Vikings’ Life after Addison?

Pretend Addison is traded for a 2nd-Rounder or something similar. Their problems won’t be solved with a draft pick alone.

The club would need a new WR2, and those do not grow on trees. In theory, Brzezinski could re-sign free agent Jalen Nailor and force him into a WR2 role, though Nailor has never consistently shown the prowess to hold up a WR2.

Minnesota could also explore one of these free agents in March:

• Mike Evans
• Jauan Jennings
• Christian Kirk
• Alec Pierce
• Wan’Dale Robinson
• Deebo Samuel

From the draft, one of these men might be in play at pick No. 18 if Addison leaves the roster:

• Jordan Tyson (Arizona State)
• Makai Lemon (USC)
• Denzel Boston (Washington)
• Kevin Concepcion (Texas A&M)

Addison turned 24 last month.