Dec 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings fans react during the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
Minnesota Vikings fans are not strangers to wide receiver drama.
Stefon Diggs provided such theater five years ago, and because of scars from that era, some of the team’s onlookers believe wideout Jordan Addison is following suit.
Addison posted a photo of himself this weekend to Instagram with a caption of “Free 3.”
Predictable, fans pounced and interpreted the post as a would-be trade request or hint of disgruntlement. @SupaCyata commented on X, the website formerly known as Twitter, “His vibe always seemed like he didn’t love being here.”
@AmaltheaGlass added, “I’m assuming he wants to be thrown to more often. And I can’t blame him. He’s only talked about anymore when he makes a mistake, but if you watch the games he’s open all the time and the ball keeps going anywhere and everywhere else. Coulda had more than a few first downs and TDs.”
Dozens of likeminded quips on social media accompanied those above. But the only caveat is that Addison’s caption probably isn’t a trade request — it’s his personal motto. He frequently wears “FREE 3” on a chain around his neck.
He even wore the FREE3 chain when the Vikings drafted him a year and a half ago — and Addison very vividly was not looking for a trade that day or any since. “FREE 3” is a shoutout that Addison wants to produce on the field, similar to a spin-off of “LFG,” which athletes use frequently.
Addison has logged 23 receptions for 231 yards and has banked a couple of touchdowns this year. He missed two games to injury earlier in the season, and his current pace is 561 receiving yards — a downgrade from his 911 yards last year and 10 touchdowns as a rookie in 2023.
Addison’s teammate, cornerback Mekhi Blackmon, who attended college with Addison at LSU, assured the masses that Addison isn’t seeking a trade.
On July 12th, 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 — about a week after his rookie teammate Khyree Jackson was killed in Maryland by an alleged drunk driver.
Addison arrived at Vikings training camp in late July, prepared to learn from the mistake, accept his forthcoming consequence, and move on. “Whatever’s out there for me, whatever comes with it, I’ll own up to everything. I feel like anything that comes my way is meant to happen or is deserved,” Addison told reporters.
The young playmaker uses the “FREE 3” motto pretty liberally, and folks should not construe it as discontent.
The Vikings host the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9 on Sunday Night Football, and the return of T.J. Hockenson will give the offense an additional injection.
For those who remain steadfast over Addison’s Instagram post, would a player really be searching for a way off a 5-2 team? Those theories are generally reserved for teams showcasing a 2-5 record, for example, not 5-2.
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.