There are two young, capable wide receivers on the Minnesota Vikings roster. One, Justin Jefferson, is about to become the highest paid player in the league who is not a quarterback. The other is Jordan Addison, who was selected by the Vikings in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He is already showing that he is more talented than most WR2s in this league.
With how things are going, Jefferson, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, should soon receive a massive salary. One former NFL executive finds it difficult to imagine the Vikings ever paying two wide receivers the amount they will ultimately have to pay Jordan Addison, on top of whatever JJ ends up getting, given the amount of money Jefferson will command (~$35 million per year).
Will Jordan Addison of the Minnesota Vikings be lost by Justin Jefferson’s extension?
Just the second year of a four-year rookie contract lies ahead of Addison. That does not account for the possibility of a franchise tag after that or a fifth-year team option. Put another way, even though it would get costly in the end, the Vikings could theoretically control Addison’s future for another six or seven years.
However, Randy Mueller, a former NFL executive who currently contributes to The Athletic, thinks he has a superior concept. He would be getting ready to trade Jordan Addison before he ever becomes expensive if he were in charge of the front office of the Minnesota Vikings.
It’s arguable that Jefferson is the best receiver in the league, so Minnesota ought to extend him. However, the expense will make it harder to spend money elsewhere, such as on Jordan Addison, a 22-year-old first-round pick who will have to pay off his rookie contract. Of course, a good quarterback on a five-year rookie contract might be exactly what the doctor ordered if the Vikings’ evaluation of J.J. McCarthy turns out to be accurate. When Addison’s contract expires, I would continue to churn WR2 and pay Jefferson if I were in charge of the Vikings.
Former NFL executive and writer for The Athletic Randy Mueller
Mueller concurs that Jefferson should be extended because he is the finest wide receiver in the NFL. Nevertheless, he notes that they will be in a difficult financial situation due to the cost of having to re-sign the (nearly) 25-year-old phenomenon. Mueller is considering Addison as a potential cap casualty in 2026, or in any other year that he would be qualified for an extension.
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The takeaway: If it’s not Addison, it will be a significant other.
But Randy’s argument goes farther. The Minnesota Vikings will need to make cuts elsewhere on the roster after Jefferson signs his contract. Christian Darrisaw will receive compensation. TJ Hockenson and Brian O’Neill are already being compensated. Additionally, upgrades elsewhere will cost money, etc.
That being said, there will inevitably be roster sacrifices. Addison, will that be? That is contingent upon his performance, the level of interest from others, the players the Vikings have behind him, and other factors.
Mueller does point out that having rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy on a rookie contract should give the Vikings some flexibility if their evaluation of him turns out to be accurate. It is far too early to draw this conclusion. Yes, Addison led all rookie wide receivers in touchdowns during his incredible rookie campaign.
Ultimately, it’s far too early to start talking about whether the Vikings should let go of Jordan Addison after his rookie deal. However, Mueller makes a general point that should be remembered as we proceed after the JJ extension, whenever that occurs.
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Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the general manager of the Vikings, has already demonstrated his excellent financial roster balancing skills. Additionally, he has demonstrated a willingness to compensate the players who are most important to the team. But those two notions clash quite frequently.
At that point, choices must be made that have the potential to make or break a football team. Over the next few years, as Justin Jefferson becomes more expensive and we wait to see if JJ McCarthy is indeed the future, we’ll see if Kwesi can make the right decisions.
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