Aaron Rodgers has dominated the Minnesota Vikings rumor mill this offseason, though his connection to the purple team had started to fizzle with indications he’ll join the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster before too long and J.J. McCarthy will take over Minnesota’s offense.
Jordan Addison Enters Vikings Trade Rumor Mill
Meanwhile, many onlookers expect Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to trade his first draft pick in three weeks — the No. 24 selection obtained by Minnesota after a 14-3 regular season in 2024.
But don’t rule out Jordan Addison as a trade candidate, says NewYorkUpstate.com‘s Matt Parrino.
The Trade Rumor from a Bills Writer
Parrino covers the Buffalo Bills and tucked in an article about that team’s wide receiver options in 2025, Addison’s name popped up as a trade option, along with New Orleans Saints wideout Chris Olave.
“Two other names to monitor are New Orleans Saints receiver Chris Olave, who does come with a concerning concussion history, and maybe Minnesota receiver Jordan Addison. The Vikings just gave All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson a monster new deal and Addison will be extension eligible after the 2025 season,” Parrino wrote last week.
“The Bills and Vikings have pulled off a trade in the past for a big-time receiver and Beane should look into Addison’s availability. From the outside looking in, Addison seems to have played his best ball when Jefferson was out of the lineup in 2023.”
No hint of an Addison trade has really shown up anywhere this offseason, so consider Parrino’s theory a first of its kind.
“He’s a vertical threat who can win at all three levels. I think he’d be a fun addition to the Bills offense,” Parrino added.
Why the Vikings Won’t Trade Addison
Addison is an electric playmaker, perfectly complementing Justin Jefferson on Sundays. A rule of thumb in the Vikings’ offense? Throw the ball in his direction, and good things happen — often touchdowns.
Adofo-Mensah nailed the Addison draft pick in 2023, scooping him from Round 1 during a draft when Minnesota reasonably could’ve selected a defensive player.
Trading Addison would plop Minnesota back at square one, hoping to find a productive running mate to pair with Jefferson during J.J. McCarthy’s maiden voyage season.
In all likelihood, an Addison trade is unlikely.
Why They Might
At this time next year, during the 2026 offseason, contract extension talks for Addison will heat up, and Minnesota must decide to pay him once his deal expires in 2027. The Vikings are virtually assured to exercise Addison’s fifth-year rookie option, but after that, the outlook will become more mysterious.
For example, the Cincinnati Bengals recently navigated contractual waters with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. In about two or three years, a similar conversation will beset Minnesota, determining how, if possible, to pay McCarthy, Jefferson, and Addison.
Theoretically, trading Addison would prompt Minnesota to find a rookie wide receiver and procrastinate paying a second large contract.
Legal Matter Unresolved
The young wideout pleaded not guilty to two DUI charges in December, so the next steps in the process are playing out. California Highway Patrol arrested Addison in July for driving under the influence, his second legal infraction since joining the Vikings in the 2023 NFL Draft. The arrest occurred less than a week after Addison’s teammate, Khyree Jackson, died in a tragic car accident that might have involved alcohol consumption by the other motorist.
Addison showed up at Vikings training camp last summer, prepared to learn from the mistake, accept his forthcoming consequence if applicable, and move on. “Whatever’s out there for me, whatever comes with it, I’ll own up to everything. I feel like anything that comes my way is meant to happen or is deserved,” Addison told reporters.
A couple of days before that, Vikings leaders Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell expressed general disappointment in Addison but preached support.
“We’re disappointed in Jordan. We care about these players. We really do. We want to make sure we’re doing our part for the development on the field,” O’Connell said on July 22nd, 2024. “The other aspect of that is the off-the-field, the life skills, and the development of decision-making and learning how important it is within our culture — which we’re very proud of — that our players understand personal responsibility and accountability.”
Another hypothetical infraction, which would make it three in Minnesota, could signal doom for Addison.
He could also be suspended to start the 2025 regular season.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
