July 15 was set to mark the start of the trial process stemming from Jordan Addison‘s 2024 DUI citation. The case has instead come to an end by means of a plea agreement. 
Addison entered a guilty plea to the lesser charge of reckless driving with the involvement of alcohol – known more commonly as a “wet reckless” charge – as detailed in a statement from his attorney. As a result, the 23-year-old will pay a fine and complete two online courses in addition to a probationary period of up to one year.
“[Addison] has kept the organization apprised throughout these legal proceedings, and will continue in his full commitment to being a valuable member of his team,” the statement from his attorney reads in part. The NFL noted (via ESPN’s Kevin Seifert) that this situation remains under review.
With the legal matter now settled, league discipline could be handed down in the near future. As Seifert notes, standard practice in the case of DUI situations (for the first offense) is a three-game suspension. Missing that time would leave Minnesota without a key receiver but it would also have financial consequences. Addison would forfeit more than $88K for each game missed through suspension, and violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy would void the remaining guarantees on his first-round rookie contract (h/t Spotrac).
Another two years are in place on Addison’s deal, but the Vikings could keep him in the fold through 2027 by exercising his fifth-year option after the coming campaign. Considering the Pitt/USC alum’s production to date – 1,786 yards and 19 touchdowns on 133 catches – it would come as no surprise if that were to take place. For the time being, though, attention will be focused on the length of any potential suspension for the 2025 campaign.
When available, Addison is positioned to remain a full-time starter and a strong complementary option to Justin Jefferson in the passing game. The possibility still exists, however, that he will miss time in the fall.
This is awful. If he was DUI, then convict him for DUI. It isn’t complicated. That’s what happens to everyday people.
Umm no, the majority of criminal cases never see court and end in a plea deal.
A plea deal for DUI, yeah
Happens all the time. Given that you seem to know everything about everything about everything, it is surprising that this simple factoid got past you.
So no suspension since no DUI?
What? Where do you come up with this stuff? His plea deal didn’t eliminate his arrest.
My point is that since this wasn’t a DUI but in fact a lesser charge, would that mean no suspension? I’m sorry I blew your mind
DUI is a not just a simple misdemeanor. In some states, your 3rd one in a certain time frame is a felony. So they are adjudicated (as they should be) as DUIs.
I’m rather skeptical that these online courses would change anyone’s behavior. Is there any data to show what percentage of people taking those courses have another DUI charge in the future?
Of course the online courses don’t do anything. They are just a feel good thing for the courts to do. Doesn’t matter if they work. Some company that creates them grifts off tax payer money and the courts can say they did “something”.
Jail time is the only deterrent to criminal behavior, but that is not where our justice system is anymore, hence, victims no longer get “justice”.