At some point, the Vikings will have to make a decision about Jordan Addison’s future. The 2023 first-round pick, who has flourished as the No. 2 receiver alongside Justin Jefferson, will be eligible for a contract extension after this season. However, it might be more likely that the decision takes place in the 2027 offseason, when Addison will be entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract (assuming he stays out of further off-field trouble and the Vikings exercise his fifth-year option).
Could the Vikings consider trading Addison before it ever gets to that point, perhaps as early as this offseason? This was recently suggested by Matt Parrino, a reporter for Syracuse.com who covers the Buffalo Bills. While Parrino was speculating in a mailbag response, he mentioned Addison as a potential trade target. Although this isn’t based on any inside information, the idea is intriguing.
Parrino wrote:
“Two other names to watch are New Orleans Saints receiver Chris Olave, who has a concerning concussion history, and potentially Minnesota receiver Jordan Addison. The Vikings recently signed All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson to a massive contract, and Addison will be eligible for an extension after the 2025 season. The Bills and Vikings have previously traded for a high-profile receiver, and GM Brandon Beane should explore Addison’s availability. From an outsider’s perspective, Addison has performed best when Jefferson was absent from the lineup in 2023. He’s a vertical threat who can succeed at all levels. He’d be an exciting addition to the Bills’ offense.”
To be clear, this scenario seems highly unlikely. However, if the Vikings did entertain trading Addison, the rationale would be to capitalize on his high value while safeguarding against the risk of potential future off-field issues. If Addison makes it through this offseason without legal trouble, it would be the first time since he was drafted 23rd overall two years ago. He was cited for speeding and reckless driving in 2023, and was arrested on suspicion of DUI last summer—just days after teammate Khyree Jackson died in a car crash involving alcohol. Addison could still face an NFL suspension for his 2024 incident in the upcoming season.
If the Vikings were to trade Addison, they could likely receive a first-round pick and additional draft capital in return. If the trade happened this month, they might receive the 30th overall pick from the Bills (along with other picks), which they could use to select a new wide receiver, like Luther Burden III or Emeka Egbuka. The Vikings’ past trade with the Bills in March 2020, when they traded away a receiver and drafted his replacement, turned out quite well.
Again, it would be a huge surprise if the Vikings seriously considered trading Addison this offseason. He’s 23 years old, highly talented, and still on a rookie deal for three more years. Over his first two seasons, Addison has accumulated 1,786 receiving yards and 20 total touchdowns, and has proven he can step up as a No. 1 receiver if needed. He’s a key asset for a team in win-now mode, particularly with a 22-year-old quarterback set to make his first NFL regular-season start.
That said, Addison’s long-term future with the team is an interesting topic. Will the Vikings eventually want to pay both a top-tier WR1 and a high-priced WR2, as teams like the Bengals, Dolphins, and Eagles are currently doing? While Addison could very well remain in Minnesota alongside Jefferson for many years, it’s far from certain at this point.
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