This offseason, the Minnesota Vikings prioritized working out Justin Jefferson’s massive extension and navigating a quarterback transition period—the same narratives that made headlines.
While all of this was going on, one of the Vikings’ brightest future stars was working hard to establish himself as one of the league’s best receivers.
Entering his second season full of confidence that he can surpass his outstanding rookie performance, Jordan Addison feels he has done just that.
According to Addison, “(I’ve) taken my game to the next level in one year,” as reported by ESPN’s Kevin Seifert.
According to reports, Addison has thrived during his first full offseason in the NFL under receivers coach Keenan McCardell. McCardell and Jimmy Smith used to be one of the league’s best wide receiver tandems.
It is evidently Addison and Jefferson’s hope.
Despite defenses paying more attention to Addison in 2023, Jefferson’s hamstring injury kept him limited to just 10 games. With 10 touchdown receptions and 70 catches for 911 yards, he led the Vikings and all rookies in this category.
The 2023 NFL Draft’s No. 23 overall selection produced impressive results when catching passes from Nick Mullens, Josh Dobbs, Kirk Cousins, and Jaren Hall. Therefore, one season’s worth of data indicates Addison will continue to produce, regardless of who the Vikings start at quarterback this season—J.J. McCarthy or Sam Darnold.
Maybe a stronger case can be made with his spring showing.
Addison was recovering from an injury that prevented him from participating in Vikings spring practices a year ago at this time. He’s been quite the show at minicamp and structured team activities this year.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell remarked, “Jordan Addison had as good of an offseason program as really you can ask for.” “[He is] an individual who achieved great success in Year 1. You could really see some significant progress there [this spring] in terms of him becoming a little stronger, becoming a little more at ease playing through contact, and maintaining his amazing burst and transition.
Addison has been working hard behind the scenes and out of the press. In particular, he has focused on honing his technique in the hopes that it will enhance his already exceptional skills.
“Last year I wasn’t as confident in my releases,” he stated. “I lacked decisiveness. When I was approaching the line, I had no plan. I was just trying to make ends meet as a freelancer.”
He put in a lot of effort in 2023, and he thinks his offseason development will be crucial to an even better 2024.
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