Sep 10, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) reacts with wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) after scoring his first career touchdown pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins (not pictured) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan Addison is coming off a rookie season in which he was tasked with stepping into the top wide receiver role. With Justin Jefferson succumbing to an injury, the USC product routinely was the best option for whoever was under center. There has been talk regarding an additional breakout this season, but what does that look like?
Let’s be clear: Jordan Addison did himself no favors this offseason. He could be facing a suspension, and at the very least he identified himself as lacking judgment. He is an incredible talent on the football field, and finding a new level would be incredible.
Addison started 14 games as a rookie and posted 911 yards during the season. His targets were expanded due to Jefferson missing time, and K.J. Osborn failed to step up. Now fully entrenched as the second wide receiver and making up arguably the best duo in football, the sky appears to be the limit.
Adam Thielen twice surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the Vikings. Neither of those seasons happened in which Minnesota employed Jefferson, but he did share targets with Stefon Diggs. Kevin O’Connell is a different coach than Mike Zimmer, but Sam Darnold will always welcome more mouths to feed.
How Addison manifests growing production remains to be seen. Sure, he could simply surpass the 1,000-yard mark, and that would be representative of a step forward. He was on a touchdown frenzy with Kirk Cousins last season, and that should be expected to dial back a bit this year. Maturation can also happen in how he plays the game, and getting open for a lesser quarterback in Darnold will be a must.
At the end of the day, the Vikings will always have an offensive identity as long as Kevin O’Connell is their coach. Brian Flores should be expected to put up a better defense this year, and Justin Jefferson should be expected to compete for a full season. Addison taking the next step is just a cog in the wheel of things going well for Minnesota.
A team not expected to make noise needs things trending in their favor, and this would be among them.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.