The Big Countdown Narrows for Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings embark on Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night, taking on Michael Penix Jr. and friends at U.S. Bank Stadium.
It’s not overly official, but the Minnesota Vikings have a countdown ongoing, as fans count the days until Week 4 of the regular season.
Along the way, a countdown of sorts looms in the background — the days until Jordan Addison gets back on the field.
It’s slightly over two weeks away.
Countdown to Jordan Addison in Effect
The wide receiver will soon return from suspension.
Jordan Addison Will Return in 17 Days
The NFL suspended Addison for a DUI-adjacent offence this summer, plopping him on the shelf for the first three games of the regular season.
Minnesota navigated the first game, not with ease, but with enough juice to prevail over the Chicago Bears in J.J. McCarthy’s first start. The club could’ve used Addison, especially in the first half of the contest.
Barring any bizarre setback, Addison has two go games remaining before Minnesota can activate the electric playmaker and get down to business.
Return … in Ireland
Addison’s go-live date? Oh, it’s a fun one — overseas with the NFL’s first-ever adventure in Ireland. Minnesota will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, and it’s worth noting that the Vikings have never lost a game in a foreign country.
The Steelers played impressively in Week 1, defeating the New York Jets in a thriller. Aaron Rodgers delivered 4 touchdown passes, even if his mobility has seriously diminished compared to his glory days.
So, in addition to the flair of playing in Ireland, Addison’s return will represent another sweet storyline.
Adam Thielen Shutout in Addison’s Absence
Oddly, the man charged with assuming Addison’s immediate workload to start the season failed to launch. He’s Adam Thielen, acquired via reunion trade by general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah a couple of weeks ago.
Thielen logged a two-point conversion reception on Monday, which was crucial, but in the box score, he produced no catches for no yards. He also showcased a drop on a critical 3rd Down.
The beloved Viking will likely rebound before Addison’s triumphant return to the lineup — perhaps this weekend against the Falcons — but his Week 1 performance rendered a shutout.
J.J. McCarthy’s Summer Chemistry with Addison
Moreover, because Justin Jefferson didn’t partake in training camp or the preseason (hamstring), J.J. McCarthy needed a different favorite target. That rapidly became Addison.
McCarthy and Addison connected all over the place in Eagan, transferring the relationship to Minnesota’s first preseason game versus the Houston Texans, where Addison, once again, was very visibly the go-to guy for McCarthy.
Jefferson will obviously remain the unabashed WR1 in Minnesota, but don’t forget the McCarthy-Addison chemistry already fostered in the summer when Addison hits the field in Ireland.
Addison News and Notes
A to Z Sports‘ Tyler Forness recently opined on Addison’s eventual contract extension after Detroit Lions’ wideout Jameson Williams received a deal worth $83 million over three years.
He wrote, “He’s been a massive asset for the Vikings during his career. He’s the same archetype of players as Jefferson, but not quite the same caliber of player. Because he plays opposite Jefferson, he does get one-on-one coverage consistently and burns it with his nuanced route running.”
“It’s important to remember that these are projections if they hit their ceiling, and the salary cap hits won’t be the same as their average annual value. The Vikings have a great salary cap guru in Rob Brzezinski, who will mastermind how those contracts work to be flexible on the salary cap for general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.”
Addison is still just 23.
“The other important element is that the likelihood of new television deals in 2028 could shoot the salary cap into another stratosphere. Giving out extensions that feel big right now could be relatively inexpensive when the big cap hits come about. It’s a gamble to pay Williams right now, but it could be cheap in a year or two if he continues this trajectory,” Forness added.
“If the Vikings choose not to sign Addison, it will be a surprising one. However, there is the added element of his off-field issues that could give the Vikings pause. He’s had two moving violations during his first two offseasons, one of which resulted in a suspension that he will serve to start the year. Based on what the coaching staff has said, it doesn’t look to be an issue anymore as long as he keeps his nose clean.”
Seventeen days until Addison’s return.
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