There are plenty of decisions that Nolan Teasley will have to make as the new general manager of the Minnesota Vikings, and one of the most complicated is Jordan Addison’s future. Addison has plenty of talent, but his off-the-field concerns have complicated his next contract. While the Vikings have reportedly “earmarked” money for an extension, it’s a fluid situation, and there’s a case to trade him before he gets into more trouble and uses that cash somewhere else.
If the Vikings made Addison available, there would be plenty of suitors, and SI’s Jason La Canfora suggested the Baltimore Ravens could be a potential destination.
“The Vikings would be wise to keep Addison with the chance to have much better quarterback play in 2026 than what they went through last year with JJ McCarthy. And McCarthy’s struggles have plenty to do with the scuttlebutt about Addison – stuck behind a true superstar receiver in Justin Jefferson and perhaps someone who hasn’t always rubbed everyone the right way.
“He wouldn’t come cheap as a 2023 first-round pick, but if the Ravens are going to win another Super Bowl, they may have to go through a team like the Rams to get there and that franchise is never worried about trading prime future draft capital for known impact players.”
While La Canfora’s speculation sounds great for the Ravens, Vikings fans have to wonder what’s in it for them. At the end of the day, the Vikings could get out in front of Addison’s extension, but it makes no sense to trade him so close to the beginning of the 2026 season.
The Minnesota Vikings’ best bet is to hang onto wide receiver Jordan Addison for 2026
Trading Addison would be a long-term move that has benefits. Addison has caught 175 passes for 2,396 yards and 22 touchdowns over his first three seasons, and teams could view him as a potential No. 1 receiver, which could generate a big return.
There’s also a “time bomb” element with Addison that the Vikings could get in front of. After being caught speeding before his rookie season in 2023, he was arrested for a DUI in California and later pleaded no contest to a lesser charge of “wet reckless.” He also missed a mandatory team walkthrough before the Vikings' Week 5 game in London last season and was arrested on misdemeanor trespassing charges that were later dropped.
At the same time, charges haven’t been the only thing that have been dropped in Addison’s time in Minnesota. While he’s caught 175 passes for 2,396 yards and 22 touchdowns over his first three seasons, he sank to a career low with 42 catches, 610 yards, and three touchdowns last year. Some of that can be pinned on the Vikings’ poor quarterback play, but Addison didn’t help himself out with career-highs in drops (6) and drop rate (7.6%).
After watching Alec Pierce, Romeo Doubs, and Christian Watson cash in on recent contracts, the Vikings could skirt the risk and trade Addison, but it makes little sense to do it right now.
The Vikings’ receiver room is strong at the top with Justin Jefferson, Addison, and free-agent pickup Jauan Jennings. But there’s a dearth of talent behind that trio. Unless 2025 third-round pick Tai Felton has taken a massive leap or Dillon Bell can cash in on his hype from the offseason program, moving everyone up a spot makes little sense, especially when Minnesota has the goal of being super competitive.
La Canfora suggested the Vikings could avoid that by including Rashod Bateman in a trade. But outside of pleasing the crazed Golden Gopher fans who still believe in Max Brosmer, Bateman would be a severe downgrade, posting lesser stats (157 catches, 2,147 yards, 15 touchdowns) than Addison despite having two more years in the league.
There are plenty of long-term concerns with Addison, but that’s why the Vikings decided to pick up his fifth-year option last spring. If Addison bounces back, performs well, and stays out of trouble, a decision to extend him could be much easier. It would also be good for the 2026 team, which expects to return to the playoffs after missing with a 9-8 record last season.
Trading Addison is a discussion that’s sure to happen over the next year and could be reopened ahead of the trade deadline if the Vikings get off to a tough start. But for now, the Vikings’ best bet is to hang onto him and see what the 2026 season has in store.
Add us as a preferred source on Google