The Minnesota Vikings will open the regular season without one of their most dynamic playmakers, as wide receiver Jordan Addison has been suspended without pay for the first three games. The suspension stems from a no contest plea earlier this offseason to a reduced “wet reckless” charge, following a July 12, 2024 DUI arrest. Addison had initially pleaded not guilty to the DUI charges on December 3, 2024.
This isn’t the first time Addison has faced off-field issues — in July 2023, he was cited for reckless driving after being clocked at 140 mph in a 55 mph zone.
On the field, Addison has made a significant impact early in his career. The 2023 first-round pick (No. 23 overall) has totaled 133 receptions for 1,786 yards and 19 touchdowns through two seasons, trailing only Ja’Marr Chase, Mike Evans, and Amon-Ra St. Brown in touchdown receptions over that span.
His absence comes at a pivotal moment for the Vikings, who are entering a new era with rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy—this year’s first-round selection—taking the reins. While McCarthy will still have superstar wideout Justin Jefferson to rely on, losing Addison diminishes the team’s receiving depth and puts additional pressure on inexperienced or unproven players to step up.
Jalen Nailor, a 2022 sixth-round pick who saw action on 51% of offensive snaps last season, is likely to see an expanded role. He’ll be joined by offseason additions Rondale Moore and Tim Jones, as well as 2025 third-round rookie Tai Felton and undrafted rookies Lucky Jackson and Silas Bolden. Moore, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, and Jones, who caught only three passes for the Jaguars in 2024, bring uncertainty. Meanwhile, Felton and Bolden may not be ready for significant contributions, although Jackson has stood out in camp with consecutive standout performances.
No matter how the depth chart shakes out, the Vikings’ offense will be operating at less than full capacity to start the season. Without Addison, opposing defenses can concentrate coverage on Jefferson, daring Minnesota’s untested supporting cast to make plays. It’s far from an ideal situation for McCarthy as he prepares for his NFL debut, but the team will need to adjust quickly if it hopes to stay competitive early in the season.
