The Minnesota Vikings are exercising their club option for wide receiver Jordan Addison in 2027, interim general manager Rob Brzezinski told reporters on Monday.
Addison is projected to receive a salary of $18 million before he’s eligible for free agency in 2028.
When the former Pittsburgh and USC star first arrived in Minneapolis, some wondered whether the Vikings were already making plans for a post-Justin Jefferson future.
Jefferson was still on his rookie deal at the time, and everyone could see he was heading toward a record-setting payday. That’s exactly what he got in June 2024, signing a four-year, $140 million deal.
That locked Addison in as the No. 2 wideout, and he was productive in the role across his first two years. His production went backward in 2025, however.
The 5’11” pass-catcher finished with 42 receptions for 610 yards and three touchdowns.
He also missed the first three games of the season for a violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
Minnesota’s quarterback situation undoubtedly impacted Addison. It’s not a coincidence that Jefferson had the worst year of his pro career at the same time.
The learning curve for J.J. McCarthy was steeper than expected. Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer, who filled in for the seven games McCarthy was out injured, weren’t any better under center.
The Vikings’ 166.7 passing yards per game were the fourth-fewest in the NFL.
Unlike some of his peers from the 2023 draft class, Addison wasn’t a no-brainer case one way or the other when it came to his club option. He has been a good secondary target behind Jefferson, but he’s not so valuable as to be irreplaceable.
The Vikings might ultimately see this as a hedge.
The cost of a proven No. 2 receiver is creeping toward $30 million annually. The Cincinnati Bengals’ Tee Higgins and Miami Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle signed extensions that average a little more than $28 million per year.
Addison’s option looks more reasonable in comparison to that, especially if he goes on to have a big 2026 season.