With the first phase of the Minnesota Vikings' voluntary offseason training program kicking off this week, head coach Kevin O'Connell met with the media on Monday and discussed a variety of topics, one being the organization's recent decision to exercise the fifth-year option on Jordan Addison's rookie contract.
With the option exercised, the 23rd overall pick from the 2023 draft is now on the books for at least two more seasons, and while he'll collect just over $2.622 million in guaranteed money in 2026, that number bumps up to $18 million in 2027.
Addison, of course, will be hoping for a lot more money down the line with a long-term deal, which some thought may come to fruition this year in lieu of the fifth-year option.
But plans may have changed when the USC alum had another run-in with the law after he was arrested for trespassing at a Florida casino back in January.
The charges were ultimately dropped, but as Addison had already been cited for excessive speeding and arrested on suspicion of DUI after he was found sleeping behind the wheel of his car, with the latter ultimately leading to a suspension, there was some chatter that this latest instance could lead the Vikings to release him.
That obviously didn't happen, but O'Connell seemed to be referencing those personal issues when discussing his option, saying just how important this upcoming season is to his future.
"He was an incredibly young player when he got into the NFL, and he's learned some lessons over the years.
And I think he understands it's a critical time in his career, his ability to have an impact doing what he loves, which is playing football — loves playing football as much as anybody we have in this organization.
But we need to make sure that he understands where he's at now and the growth and all those things, and what that equals. And I think he does, and I'm excited to get going with him this year."
Minnesota Vikings WR Jordan Addison is playing for a long-term extension in 2026
Those are encouraging words, of course, but they are just words, and it's on Addison to prove that he has matured and learned from those past mistakes.
From a football standpoint, the 2026 campaign is genuinely critical, as this will now seemingly be the season that determines whether the Vikings choose to sign him to a long-term deal next offseason before he enters the final year of his current contract.
Addison has certainly been one of the top WR2s in the league over the past few years, catching 175 passes for 2,396 yards and 22 touchdowns in 46 regular-season appearances, adding another 103 yards and two scores on the ground.
And O'Connell made sure to note in his presser that the 24-year-old should indeed be viewed as one of the top second options in the NFL.
"From a talent standpoint and his impact, it was really felt immediately when Jordan first arrived here, and what he's brought to our offense and his ability to really dynamically complement Justin.
I view Jordan as one of the top-tier, quote-unquote, if you want to call him No. 2s in the league. And that's not in any way, shape or form negative when you're talking about that other guy being Justin Jefferson."
With Jalen Nailor now gone after signing a three-year, $35.03 million deal in free agency with the Las Vegas Raiders, Addison will undoubtedly be expected to step up even more. O'Connell clearly believes he's up for the challenge, and it's now time for No. 3 to deliver.
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