Jordan Addison, Vikings
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Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison
The Minnesota Vikings are not ready to go all-in on wide receiver Jordan Addison, despite his status as a recent first-round pick and strong production across his first three NFL seasons.
Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune told KFAN on Saturday, March 14 that there are a couple of reasons the Vikings are not ready to pay Addison on a lucrative multiyear deal despite his extension-eligible status this offseason.
“The#Vikings offering Jordan Addison a long-term contract extension is ‘very much still up in the air,’@BenGoessling mentioned via @KFAN1003,” the VikingzFanPage account posted to X. “Goessling mentioned factors like paying Justin Jefferson, having to pay a QB at some point and [Addison’s] ‘maturity and growth’ off the field.”
VikingzFanPage
The #Vikings offering Jordan Addison a long term contract extension is “very much still up in the air,” @BenGoessling mentioned via @KFAN1003. Goessling mentioned factors like paying Justin Jefferson, having to pay a QB at some point, and his “maturity and growth” off the field.
Authorities arrested Addison at a casino in Florida in January and charged him with a first-degree misdemeanor for trespassing.
That was the most recent off-field issue for Addison after police arrested and charged him with suspicion of DUI when they found him asleep in the driver’s seat of a vehicle outside of Los Angeles International Airport in July 2024.
That incident led to a three-game suspension from the league to start the 2025 campaign following Addison’s decision to plead no contest to a reduced charge.
Addison also plead guilty to a simple misdemeanor in July 2023 after Minneapolis police pulled him over and cited him for driving 140 mph in a 55-mph zone.
Across three pro seasons (46 games played, 41 starts), Addison has tallied 175 receptions for 2,396 receiving yards and 22 TDs.
Vikings Must Decide on Fifth-Year Team Option for Jordan Addison by May 1
Vikings WR Jordan Addison
GettyMinnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison.
Addison is entering the fourth and final season of his $13.7 million rookie contract in 2026.
However, Minnesota has some breathing room due to the fifth-year team option on the wideout’s initial deal due to his status as a former first-round pick. The Vikings have until May 1 to exercise that option, which locks Addison into the team through 2027 and pays him $18 million that season.
The Vikings are likely to pick up that option because, despite the strong price tag, $18 million is well below the top of the receiver market. Ja’Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals leads the league with a $40.25 million annual average salary on his most recent deal.
Jefferson is second at $35 million APY after inking a four-year contract worth $140 million total in June 2024. He has three years remaining on the agreement but will eligible for a new extension before his deal ends at the conclusion of the 2028 campaign.
Vikings Will Benefit From Inexpensive QB Room This Season
Kyler Murray draft
GettyQuarterback Kyler Murray of the Minnesota Vikings.
As for the quarterback situation, Minnesota lucked out with the lack of a trade market for Kyler Murray, whom the Arizona Cardinals released this week while still owing him $36.8 million for the 2026 season.
That allowed Murray to ink a deal for the veterans league minimum of $1.3 million this year to join the Vikings as probably the best available QB in free agency or via a trade.
Meanwhile, JJ McCarthy is entering the third season of his four-year $22 million contract in 2026, and the Vikings will have a fifth-year option on his deal to exercise by May 1 of 2027 should the team so choose.
Thus, Minnesota’s quarterback room is going to be inexpensive this season, even if the franchise adds another veteran to the mix, which reporters around the Vikings expect.
However, next season is likely to come with a more lucrative deal for Murray if he succeeds and proves a good match, or some other QB via free agency, trade or potentially even the draft if things with Murray and McCarthy don’t work out.