Jordan Addison Theories Are Breaking Weird
Jordan Addison caused headaches for the Minnesota Vikings in back-to-back Julys.
Jordan Addison Theories Are Breaking Weird
In July 2023, he was arrested for reckless driving in the Twin Cities, traveling 140 MPH in a 55 MPH zone, an offense he later pleaded down to a misdemeanor. Addison paid his fine and moved on — or so onlookers thought. This July, Addison was arrested near Los Angeles International Airport for suspicion of DUI while asleep in his Rolls-Royce that blocked a lane of freeway traffic.
The latest infraction hasn’t been resolved, as Addison faces an October 7th court date. If convicted, he’ll face legal ramifications — probably a fine and probation — and a suspension by the NFL, which most believe will eventually sideline Addison for three games.
Accordingly, Addison’s consecutive legal matters have generated another weird theory — a possible trade.
Of course, since his arrest, fringe theorists have wondered if the Vikings would cut bait with Addison via trade. However, at the start of training camp, the team’s leadership struck a supportive tone for Addison, and anything trade-related died off. Until this week.
The Viking Age advanced Addison trade fodder on Tuesday, claiming recent workouts of free-agent wide receivers could suggest Minnesota would trade the second-year wideout. “The Vikings need to do something to let all of their players know that what Addison did will not be tolerated,” TVA’s Adam Patrick wrote. “Minnesota’s leadership has claimed that they want to help Addison be the best possible version of himself. But can that be achieved in a Vikings uniform, or does the team need to release or trade him in order for him to realize the severity of his arrest last month?”
The Vikings auditioned three wide receivers this week: Deon Cain, Justin Hall, and Dax Milne. At the time of this article’s publication, none signed with the purple team.
Patrick added about the tryouts: “Most would assume these three players were likely brought in because Minnesota just wants to see if any of them can help improve the current depth of its wide receiver group. But might there be another reason for the Vikings working out free-agent receivers on Monday?”
On the other hand, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell provided thoughts on Addison two weeks ago. “We’re disappointed in Jordan. We care about these players. We really do. We want to make sure we’re doing our part for the development on the field,” O’Connell said at the start of training camp. “The other aspect of that is the off-the-field, the life skills, and the development of decision-making and learning how important it is within our culture — which we’re very proud of — that our players understand personal responsibility and accountability.”
O’Connell added, “You wrap your arms around these guys, and you ensure that they know that we care. But at the same time they have to hear those messages and they have to understand things that are not going to be acceptable.”
Thereafter, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah spoke on Addison’s legal matter, praised Addison’s solid family background and upbringing, and claimed Addison let the organization down.
But he added, “Using words like discipline and different things like that, we don’t really talk about it like that inside these walls. Inside these walls, it’s about designing for the outcome we want. The outcome we want is for Jordan to be the best version of himself on the field and off the field, and he has bought into that same exact thing. So, how do you do that from a planned standpoint?”
Addison’s trade value — if the Vikings considered trading him at all this summer — is probably at its lowest point because of the recent arrest. Additionally, this brand of Vikings leadership has a reputation for embracing forgiveness and offering chances at redemption.
As for auditioning wide receivers for the 91-man depth chart, well, those tryouts happen frequently, and Cain, Hall, or Milne wouldn’t directly replace Addison anyway.
A trade is severely unlikely.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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