Vikings decline 5th-year option of WR Laquon Treadwell
Sean Borman
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The Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday officially announced the team would NOT be picking up Laquon Treadwell’s fifth-year option. Treadwell, 23, is entering his fourth season with the team. The option would have cost the Vikings $10.162 million in 2020.
Treadwell was selected by the Vikings with the 23rd overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. The wide receiver played college football at Ole Miss where he holds 12 team records, including single-season receptions (82), receiving yards (1,153) and touchdown catches (11). In three seasons with the Rebels he hauled in 202 passes for 2,393 yards with 21 touchdowns. His 202 career catches are also an Ole Miss record.
Despite a stellar college career, Treadwell got off to a slow start in the pros. He only caught one pass for 15 yards his rookie season and followed that up with a 20-catch, 200-yard performance his sophomore year. Last season he caught a career-high 35 passes for 302 yards and one touchdown.
While Treadwell’s production has been disappointing thus far, there’s still a tiny glimmer of hope for the young wideout. Shortly after offensive advisor Gary Kubiak was hired in back in February, head coach Mike Zimmer said he noticed a lot of improvement from Treadwell last season, even though he may not have received as many catches as the team hoped. Zimmer also said that Kubiak “has a vision” for utilizing Treadwell in the Vikings’ new offense.
We’ll see how that vision takes shape through what could be Treadwell’s last season with the team.