The Minnesota Vikings had been expecting some major discipline to be handed down after wide receiver Jordan Addison ran afoul of the law. The suspension has become official, and it will take a Vikings team looking to make the postseason down a notch for the first few games of the season.
Addison has been suspended without pay for the first three games of the 2025 season. Addison can still participate in training camp and the preseason, but he won't be able to actually put on his cleats in a real game until Week 4.
Addison is one of the best young wide receivers in the NFC, which makes his transgressions even more painful for the Vikings to swallow. The Vikings may have enough firepower to win games without Addison, but the margin for error in a very deep NFC North just managed to get even thinner.
Vikings WR Jordan Addison suspended for first three games of 2025
Addison, who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor after driving 140 miles per hour in 2023, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with blood alcohol content over California's legal limit in 2024. Addison pleaded to a lesser charge known as "wet reckless" on July 17 to settle the case.
Addison caught 63 passes for 875 yards and nine touchdowns in his second season as a pro. Considering he loses innumerable targets to the wondrous Jefferson and tight end TJ Hockenson, that production shows what a dynamic talent he can be in the right offense.
Look for Jalen Nailor to step up in Addison's absence, as his downfield speed could make him the most natural replacement. Rookie Tai Felton may see an uptick in responsibility, though he will need to compete with veteran signing Rondale Moore and longtime practice squad player Lucky Jackson.
Addison's suspension is incredibly disappointing, but fans were bracing for this result. The Vikings will need to take on the Chicago Bears in a Monday Night matchup during Week 1 before two more home matchups against the Atlanta Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals without their No. 2 wide receiver.