EAGAN, Minn. — During a recent game against Green Bay, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison showcased his impressive skills by executing a deft 5-yard hitch route in the third quarter. His convincing stop left Packers safety Javon Bullard off guard, allowing Addison to swiftly pivot to the left and accelerate toward the sideline. This unexpected move enabled quarterback Sam Darnold to deliver the ball perfectly, hitting Addison in stride just as he crossed into the end zone, extending the Vikings’ lead to 20-3.
Addison, now in just his 31st NFL game, is quickly establishing a reputation as a scoring machine. He has amassed a remarkable total of 19 touchdowns, which ties him with Odell Beckham Jr. for the fourth-most touchdowns in league history for players aged 23 and under. Only Randy Moss (28), Rob Gronkowski (27), and Ja’Marr Chase (22) have recorded more touchdowns at this age.
“He’s a baller. He’s a silent killer. He’s like the ninja on the team,” remarked fellow wide receiver Justin Jefferson, highlighting Addison’s ability to perform without much fanfare. In terms of receiving yardage over the first two seasons, only Jefferson and Moss have surpassed Addison, who was selected 23rd overall from Southern California during the 2023 draft after starting his collegiate career at Pittsburgh.
Darnold has expressed admiration for Addison’s work ethic, stating, “He’s putting in a ton of work on the field and off the field during the week to be able to put himself in good positions.” Darnold further noted that Addison’s professionalism this year is especially noteworthy and a joy to witness as it comes to fruition on the field.
Despite his on-field accomplishments, Addison still faces challenges regarding his off-field behavior. He was previously arrested for excessive speeding prior to his rookie season and for driving under the influence last summer. Last month, he pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor charges related to the latter incident and is awaiting another court date, which may lead to league disciplinary action next season.
Since arriving at training camp with a renewed focus, Addison has demonstrated resilience. He has battled through two sprained ankles—one sustained in preseason practice and another in the season opener, which forced him to miss the next two games. In the last seven games, he has elevated his performance with 577 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
Standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing 175 pounds, Addison is one of the smaller players on the field, which has pushed him to adapt and learn how to absorb contact effectively. This skill proves beneficial not just in finding openings downfield but also in blocking larger defenders on running plays. Head coach Kevin O’Connell noted that Addison’s route-running ability was impressive during the draft evaluation process and emphasized his ongoing improvement in making contested catches.
The scoring route against Green Bay was adapted the day before the game to prepare for any pressure on Darnold. “In practice, they said, ‘We don’t know how much time he’s going to have, so once you come to a complete stop, pause for a second, then hit it,’” Addison explained. This adjustment proved to be quite effective.
As the Vikings often deploy Jefferson in various formations to maximize his impact, it requires Addison to be familiar with a variety of routes from different positions. O’Connell recognized this intelligence in Addison during their pre-draft interview, recalling how impressed he was with Addison’s ability to grasp complex plays. “He’s got a pen. He’s writing it down. He’s drawing it up,” O’Connell said, appreciating Addison’s aptitude for transforming intricate ideas into tangible performance on the field.