Early Buzz about Jordan Addison’s Future Has Started
Next offseason — so, five months from now — rumbles will begin about a Jordan Addison contract extension, the man who plays WR2 for the Minnesota Vikings. The conversation is inevitable. It is not far away.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison will approach contract extension talks before too long, and some buzz has already begun.
And thanks to KSTP’s Darren Wolfson this week, some preliminary hints are available regarding Minnesota’s mindset to keep Addison around for the long haul.
Vikings Likely to Prioritize a Contract Extension for Jordan Addison
The 23-year-old will be due for an extension as early as the 2026 offseason.
Vikings Insider Hints That Jordan Addison Will Be Extended
For now, Addison is focused on returning to the field this weekend and torching the Pittsburgh Steelers. Coming off a three-game suspension due to a DUI-adjacent charge in California, Addison will have fresh legs and a hungry mindset to cook opposing secondaries.
But pertaining to his next deal, Wolfson provided details this week.
He said on SKOR North airwaves, “He is a number one receiver, but here, number two. Wait until you see the contract extension he will sign. The Vikings, have in their minds, this idea that they are going to pay Addison. Now could that change, could that shift? Sure. They feel like they hit on a first round pick.”
“The idea is in a pass first offense in many ways, that you want two dynamic receivers. Jordan Addison can get one of those Garrett Wilson-type contracts. If not more. Terry McLaurin, $30 million a year-plus. He is that good.”
That sure sounds like a path to keeping Addison around for a second contract.
Prolonged Good Behavior Required
With contract talks on the horizon, it’s go-time for Addison — in the arena of avoided trouble and legal shenanigans.
Minnesota “took it easy” on Addison in both Julys with his driving deeds, acting like disappointed parents who know there’s a good-hearted kid in there somewhere. And because nobody was hurt, the team’s leadership largely got away with the approach.
But let’s be clear: another arrest, basically of any kind, might force the Vikings’ hand, either to contemplate a trade or outright roster release. Depending on the severity of the hypothetical crime, Addison’s next contract would be in peril.
So, his mission statement is simple: stay out of trouble or just don’t drive a car at all.
How Much Would an Extension Cost?
Now, the fun part. Money.
The NFL salary market resets annually, and Addison will obviously be a part of the cycle. At the moment, players similar to Addison, like Tee Higgins or Jaylen Waddle, earn around $28 million per season. If one assumes that Addison plays in Addisonian form this season — he’ll return from his suspension this Sunday — he will almost certainly ask for $30 million per year.
The request, if granted, would make Addison the league’s 10th-highest-paid wideout as it stands in September 2025.
Don’t get it twisted: Addison won’t be re-signed at a discount just because he acted like a knucklehead a couple of times. NFL agents don’t think that way.
Paying 2 WRs … Is Tricky
Once Addison’s market value is established — probably around $30 million each season — the tricky part is fitting his contract into the budget.
Justin Jefferson earns $35 million per season. Christian Darrisaw? $26 million. Andrew Van Ginkel checks in at No. 3 with $23 million, And Jonathan Greenard, for now, banks $19 million.
That’s many mouths to feed. Minnesota will have the luxury of employing J.J. McCarthy for cheap until 2028 or so, meaning there probably is a path for general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to keep Addison at his megabuck price point.
But it won’t be easy. Other sections of the roster won’t get love.
SI.com on Addison
SI.com‘s Joe Nelson and Will Ragatz opined this week on Addison’s impending contract matter.
They remarked, “The Vikings are going to have a decision to make on Addison within the next offseason or two. They love him and seem to be confident that his off-the-field issues are a thing of the past, so it wouldn’t be surprising if they look to keep him around as Justin Jefferson’s long-term running mate.”
“A deal would be at least in the $25-29 million per year range, which is what other top No. 2 receivers like Tee Higgins, Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith, and Jameson Williams are making. Addison’s camp will likely push for $30M or more. With one more year of his rookie deal and then the fifth-year option in 2027, it doesn’t necessarily have to be done next offseason.”
Addison won’t turn 24 until January. He has youth on his side.
“Also of note, since you can’t pay everybody, is that the Vikings could get out of T.J. Hockenson’s contract in 2027 without too much dead cap. If the Vikings handle Addison the way they dealt with Jefferson, it could mean they pick up Addison’s fifth-year option after this season and then use the next year or so to iron out the details of an extension before the start of Addison’s fifth season in 2027,” Nelson and Ragatz added.
“The Vikings exercised Jefferson’s fifth-year option in April 2023 (between his third and fourth seasons) and then signed him to a four-year, $140 million contract extension in June 2024.”
Because Minnesota totally swung and missed on the entire 2022 draft class, there’s more money available in future years than one might expect. A weird perk from a bad draft.
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