The opening weekend of the 2025 NFL season culminates in an NFC North showdown in Chicago between the Bears and the Minnesota Vikings.
All eyes will be on the two teams for different reasons. Monday marks the first game of the Ben Johnson regime in Chicago; the former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator is one of the most acclaimed coaching hires in recent history.
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On the other side, the Vikings won 14 games last season but made a change at quarterback for 2025 in going with former first-round pick J.J. McCarthy. His first start will be in prime time against a divisional foe.
Luckily, McCarthy has a good supporting cast around him. Justin Jefferson is arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL and tight end T.J. Hockenson is a fantastic player.
But he will be missing one key target in the passing game: Jordan Addison. The Vikings’ third-year wide receiver tallied at least 875 yards and nine touchdowns in his first two NFL seasons.
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2025 season
Week 1: A Kansas City Chiefs fan flexes and shows that he has singer Taylor Swift’s name written on his arm during the NFL International Series game in São Paulo, Brazil.
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2025 season
Week 1: A Kansas City Chiefs fan flexes and shows that he has singer Taylor Swift’s name written on his arm during the NFL International Series game in São Paulo, Brazil.
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2025 season
Week 1: A fan cheers inside the Corinthians Arena before the NFL International Series game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs in São Paulo, Brazil.
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2025 season
Week 1: Kansas City Chiefs fans cheer the Corinthians Arena before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers in São Paulo, Brazil.
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2025 season
Week 1: Fans pose outside Corinthians Arena before the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers in São Paulo, Brazil.
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2025 season
Week 1: A fan poses inside a oversized Kansas City Chiefs helmet before the NFL International Series game in São Paulo, Brazil.
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2025 season
Week 1: Philadelphia Eagles fans react during the 2025 NFL Kickoff Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field.
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2025 season
Week 1: The Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders perform prior to the 2025 NFL Kickoff Game at Lincoln Financial Field.
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2025 season
Week 1: A Dallas Cowboys fan and a Philadelphia Eagles fan smile during the NFL season opener at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2025 season
Week 1: Fanatics CEO Mike Rubin, former Philadelphia Eagles player Brandon Graham and musical artist Meek Mill pose for a photo prior to the 2025 NFL Kickoff Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field.
Addison will miss the first three games of the 2025 season because of a suspension. Here’s everything to know about that situation.
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Why is Jordan Addison suspended?
Addison is suspended because the NFL determined he violated the league’s Substances of Abuse Policy in a 2024 incident in which he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
California Highway Patrol officers found Addison asleep behind the wheel of a white Rolls-Royce which was blocking lanes near Los Angeles International Airport.
Addison pleaded no contest to a lesser charge of “wet reckless” in July 2025. That charge is a misdemeanor in the state of California and covers incidents of reckless driving during which alcohol or drugs were involved.
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The NFL’s Substances of Abuse Policy allows the commissioner to “impose a fine, suspension, or other appropriate discipline” on a player who “is convicted of or admits to a violation of the law… relating to the use of alcohol.”
The first offense warrants a three-game suspension without pay, per the policy, unless there are “aggravating circumstances.”
When will Jordan Addison play?
Addison will miss the Vikings’ first three games of the 2025 NFL season: Week 1 on the road against Chicago, Week 2 at home against the Atlanta Falcons and Week 3 at home again against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Addison will be cleared to return to the field in Week 4 when the Vikings face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, Ireland.
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Vikings WR depth chart
Jefferson powers Minnesota’s wide receiver group and Addison is one of the best No. 2 wideouts in the league. Here’s how the rest of the group looks behind them:
Minnesota has stocked the practice squad with wide receivers as well. Lucky Jackson, Tim Jones, Jeshaun Jones and Dontae Fleming round out the position.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Jordan Addison isn’t playing on ‘Monday Night Football’