It’s Time for Jordan Addison to Step Up

It has been a turbulent start to Jordan Addison’s career. The talent has always been visible but he has often gotten in his own way with off-field antics. For the first time, he comes into a season without off-field drama, and now it’s time for Addison to really step up.

It’s Time for Jordan Addison to Step Up

The Minnesota Vikings organization has stood by Addison through a series of problems and backed him by exercising his fifth-year option back in April. That means the Vikings have the guy that they drafted with the 23rd overall pick in the 2023 draft to partner with Justin Jefferson locked in until the end of the 2027 season. All that remains is for Addison to earn his big second contract and extend his stay in Minnesota even further.

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He has the talent, but Addison needs to do a few things before the Vikings can confidently commit to him long-term.

Firstly, he needs to continue to stay out of trouble. A drama-free offseason for Addison has been refreshing and now needs to become the norm. He also needs to step up and have the type of season that will secure him the type of big money that he will likely be looking for. The wide receiver market has gone crazy since the Vikings gave Jefferson a $35 million-a-year contract. The Baltimore Ravens recently gave Zay Flowers (who was drafted one place above Addison in 2023) a contract that matched Jefferson’s.

Addison’s Career So Far

Addison had a slightly better rookie season than Flowers but the latter has kicked on with two 1,000+ receiving-yard seasons. Hindered by a three-game suspension to start the season and Minnesota’s problems at quarterback, Addison’s stats fell off sharply last year.

Here are the stat lines for his three seasons in Minnesota to date.

The story is a decline in every category in each subsequent season. That can not continue to happen this season. A return of Addison in the end zone is something Minnesota needs to see. He was a prolific touchdown scorer in his first two seasons but amongst the offensive problems the Vikings had a pair of talented receivers like Jefferson and Addison combining for just five receiving touchdowns was an indictment of just how bad it was.

Kyler Murray Can Be A Big Help to Addison

Minnesota has a new QB1 for the 2026 season, and that should be good news for Addison. Murray is a talented former first overall pick and two-time Pro Bowler. He has his drawbacks, which is why he’s in Minnesota this season trying to reignite his career. His small stature (5’10″) can lead to problems with short-range passes over the middle of the field, but that’s not where Addison does most of his work.

Addison is often used downfield and this is where Murray is good and accurate. His 67.1% completion rate is the fifth highest all-time, and he’s not doing that dumping the ball off over the middle all the time. Give Murray time to throw deep and he will be accurate, but be also has the athleticism to extend plays to make deep routes happen. 

Murray to Addison could be come a vital connection for this offense and it’s something I’m excited to see develop.

Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.