Jordan Addison‘s DUI case recently wrapped, and the Vikings wide receiver has since learned his NFL punishment. The NFL handed Addison a three-game suspension, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
This suspension, one the Vikings have since announced, will sideline Addison for games against the Bears, Falcons and Bengals. Addison was arrested in mid-July 2024 and hit with DUI charges a year ago today. Several court proceedings in this case had taken place between then and now, including a plea agreement entered late last month. That brought finality to the case, leading to the three-game ban.
Minnesota did well in drafting Addison 23rd overall in 2023. An immediate starter, the former USC and Pittsburgh wideout filled in for Justin Jefferson as the Vikes’ No. 1 receiver while the superstar battled a significant hamstring injury. Addison totaled 911 receiving yards as a rookie and added 875 last season. He missed two games in 2024; those were his only NFL absences to date.
Combining for 19 touchdown receptions over his first two seasons, Addison has provided considerable value at an important time. The Vikings have Jefferson tied to a $35MM-per-year extension, with T.J. Hockenson also on a top-market tight end contract. Addison, 23, has provided important rookie-contract production. He does not become extension-eligible until January. This DUI incident naturally would stand to give the Vikings pause on a potential extension, and having him signed through 2026 — likely 2027, assuming the team exercises the contract’s fifth-year option by May — should provide more evaluation time.
This ban also emerges as Jefferson has missed a run of training camp practices due to another hamstring issue. Jefferson’s regular-season availability is not believed to be an immediate concern, even as he missed a sizable chunk of the 2023 campaign due hamstring trouble, but Addison’s absence does shine a brighter spotlight on the impact veteran’s recovery. Jefferson is not expected to play in the preseason, per Kevin O’Connell, who proclaimed he has “zero worry” about the top Viking’s Week 1 status.
Addison is eligible to participate in Minnesota’s preseason slate but will be shelved until Week 4 as a result of the substance-abuse policy punishment. The Vikings have Jalen Nailor and third-round pick Tai Felton as complementary options while Addison is sidelined. The team also signed Rondale Moore in free agency.
Great…
Let’s see if they hand down the Rashee Rice suspension just as quick. Both pleaded to their respective charges the same day.
All that money he got, yet he choose to drive drunk? DA!
Someone needs to introduce him to Uber.
Heck, think of all the money he’s gambled by driving drunk. His rookie contract is under $14 million. If he just keeps out of trouble and plays like he has, he’ll be making over $20 million a year in two years. But not if he’s in jail. Just ask Henry Ruggs.
He should have gotten more! At least 4 games!
— Signed, a Steeler game with NO agenda whatsoever… wait the Vikings play the Steelers in Week 4? Who knew?
Slap on the wrist
It will get dropped to 2 on appeal