The Minnesota Vikings are facing many crossroads ahead with their existing roster, including wide receiver Jordan Addison.
Selected 23rd overall in the 2023 draft, Addison is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is eligible for a fifth-year option, which would keep him under contract through the 2027 season at a below-market rate for a top-tier No. 2 wide receiver.
Addison has proved himself plenty on the field. He’s averaged 885 yards receiving and totaled 22 touchdowns in 46 career games.
But off the field, Addison has put the organization in a tough spot several times. He committed several driving offenses in his first two years in the league, the latest of which caused him to be suspended for the first three games of the 2025 season.
That’s no matter, so long as Addison can stay out of trouble.
NFL.com’s Marc Ross urged the Vikings to exercise Addison’s fifth-year option, which would schedule $17.5 million guaranteed to Addison for the 2027 season — worth more than his entire four-year, $13.4 million rookie deal.
“We can’t ignore his absence during a three-game suspension to start the season, and there have been some inconsistencies to his game, but Addison has often been a playmaker in Kevin O’Connell’s offense,” Ross wrote on January 8. “Yes, his totals have decreased in each of his three seasons, but the entire offense took a step back in 2025 due to poor QB play, and he did set a new career high in yards per catch (14.5). It’d be smart to keep key pieces together for the foreseeable future in hopes of getting the most out of J.J. McCarthy or whoever lines up under center.”
Vikings Could Reverse NFL Punishment for Jordan Addison With Fifth-Year Option
Addison assured the Vikings that his trouble-making days are behind him when he managed to not have any more run-ins with the law last offseason, when he was facing a DUI charge.
The NFL’s suspension of Addison relinquished any guarantees from his 2026 base salary. A fifth-year option would reverse that decision.
However, Addison did step out of line on the Vikings’ trip to London, which could impact the team’s decision to exercise his fifth-year option.
Jordan Addison’s London Behavior Could Leave Doubts for Vikings
While the Vikings spent two weeks overseas in the United Kingdom during Week 4 and Week 5, Addison skipped a team walkthrough, which led to him being benched for the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns.
Addison rectified his mistake, catching a game-clinching touchdown with 25 seconds left in regulation.
That seems to be the story with Addison, whose performance on the field has made him difficult to deny despite his off-field issues.
Addison’s misbehavior has been relatively minor and seemingly tolerable; otherwise, the Vikings would have cut him.
Exercising his fifth-year option is a no-brainer, but while many of his fellow 2023 first-round picks may be in line for extensions, Addison may need to prove his worth once more before hitting a major payday.
Meanwhile, the Vikings also have a decision on whether to re-sign No. 3 receiver Jalen Nailor, who could provide the Vikings leverage in Addison negotiations going forward.
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