Sports
Now Is the Time to Trade Jordan Addison
With Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison employed together, the Minnesota Vikings have one of the best wide receiver tandems in the league. Breaking that up is a tough pill to swallow, but now may be the best time to do so.
The Vikings landed Addison with the 23rd overall pick back in 2023. He continues to develop on the field, and had he not been playing behind Justin Jefferson, he would be among the prolific number one wide receivers across the NFL. However, his contributions off the field remain problematic, and his future desire for a payday doesn’t diminish them.
Addison’s Value Curve Could Peak
On May 1, the Vikings have to decide (and will) pick up his fifth-year option. That means Addison will be paid more than $17 million in 2027. That creates an expensive wide receiver room for a team that once set the new ceiling when extending Jefferson. Beyond that, though, is the uncertainty as to what an exorbitant amount of money does to a young player who has yet to show maturity.
Addison has been ticketed, drunk, and kicked out of a casino all in a very public fashion. At some point, it should be assumed he’ll get his act together, but holding those cards isn’t exactly an enviable position to be in.
Last season, Addison generated just 610 receiving yards with the Minnesota Vikings quarterback situation being a mess. He still scored three times, but it was a significant dropoff from the two seasons prior. Putting virtually anyone else under center will certainly elevate his value, but right now, Minnesota can easily explain the slip.
The Vikings need to improve their roster across multiple positions and get younger. Addison isn’t a drain, but dealing with him may be the most substantial way to open an avenue for roster-wide growth. Acquiring multiple legitimate picks would allow Kevin O’Connell and Rob Brzezinski to add additional talent.
If the Vikings know they aren’t going to pay Addison beyond his fifth year, or if they incline toward the idea that trading him next season might make sense, then jump-starting the process now will net them more. He remains cost-effective, and a change of the guard could prove valuable for the offense.
It’s not the likely outcome, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t the right one.
