Jordan Addison looks like another elite receiver for the improving Vikings
Minnesota wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) tries to catch a pass in front of San Francisco cornerback Charvarius Ward Monday night.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) breaks a tackle by San Francisco cornerback Charvarius Wardduring a 60-yard touchdown reception Monday night.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) catches a 20-yard touchdown pass in front of San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum (24) celebrates after intercepting a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, in Minneapolis.
MINNEAPOLIS — When the Minnesota Vikings lost star wide receiver Justin Jefferson to a hamstring injury, rookie Jordan Addison said he knew it was his chance to prove he, too, could be a top playmaker and help fill the void left by Jefferson, the reigning offensive player of the year.
On Monday night, he lived up to his words on national television.
Addison scored two touchdowns, including taking a potential interception out of the hands of a defender and racing 60 yards for a score in the final seconds of the first half, in Minnesota’s 22-17 victory over San Francisco.
“This is exactly what I envisioned,” Addison said after the best game of his short career. “Every time the ball came my way, I’m just making sure I’m making the play for Kirk (Cousins).”
Addison finished with single-game bests of seven catches and 123 yards, the latest evidence that the Vikings might have hit on another first-round wide receiver. Addison was the No. 23 overall pick out of Southern California, joining Jefferson, the All-Pro who was the 22nd selection in 2020.
While on the smaller side at 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, Addison has become a valuable red-zone target with six touchdowns in his first seven games. That matches the most by a rookie through seven games; the others to catch that many TDs so soon were Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase in 2021 and Vikings great Randy Moss in 1998.
“It’s exciting, though, to see his potential and the playmaker that he is,” said Cousins, the Vikings’ veteran quarterback. “There is a lot of things about his ability you can’t teach and that we’re fortunate to have. … I think he has a potential to be a very good receiver in this league.”
Jefferson is on injured reserve — and is due a contract extension — but Minnesota has, potentially, a standout duo at receiver. Addison continues to impress even the coaches, who saw enough of his college tape to make him a first-round selection.
“Physical and mental toughness,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said of Addison. “Jordan’s been everything that I hoped for from the moment I cut on the tape of his time in college, but he’s been more than that. He’s been really taking on a role within our team, within our offense. He’s earned an incredible amount of trust from Kirk and the rest of our guys.”