Backed into a Corner, The Vikings Could Be Staring Down a Now or Never Trade
The Vikings could opt to trade Jordan Addison, a receiver capable of being a WR1 in the NFL. He’s one of the few recent draftees to have performed well and yet finds himself skating on thin ice due to a series of off-field mistakes.
In fairness, the most recent issue was resolved without there being any legal repercussions. The NFL, in all likelihood, won’t be handing out any discipline. Does Minnesota nevertheless assess the situation and then conclude that moving out the talented pass catcher is the best path forward? If so, then where could he land?
The Vikings Could — Should? — Trade Jordan Addison
As of yet, Addison hasn’t cleared 1,000 yards in a single season. The statistical milestone often functions as a stand-in for being a top receiver, so the failure to hit those highs is of note.
A series of factors help to further muddy the waters.
In Minnesota, Addison has worked through minor injury and suspension. He has therefore had a decreased workload at times, explaining his inability to push the stats higher. Even worse for him is that he’s always going to be the second option behind Justin Jefferson, limiting the amount of weeks where he’s the clear beneficiary of ample targets. Worst of all, the quarterback play has often been brutal, keeping him from taking flight even in the moments when he has won his routes.
But then there are other factors working in his favor.
Playing alongside Jefferson means facing a ton of single coverage. Being the top option elsewhere will mean navigating a secondary without as much room. Furthermore, Addison has been operating from within a Kevin O’Connell offense, meaning the portion of passes has been unusually high. A normal team at least feigns interest in running the football, lessening the passing attempts in the process.
- 2023: 70 Catches, 911 Yards, 10 Touchdowns.
- 2024: 63 Catches, 875 Yards, 9 Touchdowns.
- 2025: 42 Catches, 610 Yards, 3 Touchdowns.
Were there no off-field legal issues, the Vikings would be holding onto their WR2. In fact, the decision to pickup his 5th-year option would be a no-brainer. Not so given how things have gone.
Simply having Jordan Addison on the roster means accepting a certain degree of risk. He is, in investing terms, a volatile asset. Holding onto him could mean seeing his value explode if he offers profitable play. Swinging to the other end involves the Vikings seeing its asset lose the remaining value if he gets into more trouble off the field, undermining the ability to trade him.
If a trade ends up being the desired route, then the Vikings would be shopping for a Day 2 selection: a pick(s) in the 2nd or 3rd. A 1st isn’t happening.
Addison arrives at his 24th birthday today. He’s still growing both personally and professionally. The Vikings would prefer to have him around for the long-term, reaping the rewards of a super shifty receiver capable of shaking loose down the field while also being an assassin near the end zone.
Again, though, there are the off-field concerns and the potential to lose the ability to recoup any value were something else to occur.
Over in Buffalo, Josh Allen needs support. So, too, could Patrick Mahomes benefit from receiver excellence in Kansas City. The San Francisco 49ers make sense. Maybe a bottom team like the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, or Tennessee Titans would like to build out the receiving talent with an add via trade. Those Patriots are benefiting from former Vikings. What’s one more?
In short, there’s no shortage of teams that could realistically welcome receiver help.
In the coming months, the Minnesota Vikings must get meaner and leaner. The roster is going to experience a mini overhaul to get the finances in order as the Vikings pursue meaningful success in 2026.
Moving on from Jordan Addison while there’s still trade value could be part of the strategy.
