The Minnesota Vikings officially learned the fate of former first-round pick and wide receiver Jordan Addison, whose July 2024 arrest on suspicion of DUI outside of Los Angeles International Airport led to a plea deal to a “wet reckless” charge.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Addison has been suspended by the NFL for the first three games of the 2024 regular season.
He will be eligible to return in Week 4.
Addison’s absence is a blow to the Vikings’ offense and a significant loss for J.J. McCarthy, with whom he has developed a rapport this summer and during the offseason program. However, it immediately raises the profile of fourth-year wideout Jalen Nailor, who has also turned heads.
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Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell projected a “big role” for, and a “great year” from, Nailor.
“He understands now, after all those reps and a full healthy season, there’s one way to do that, and that’s have your body prepared, and he certainly did that for the spring. He came back a couple days ago, looking ready to roll. And we’ll see how these first few weeks look, what type of personnel we’re going to have for those games when we get all the information on our group back,” O’Connell told reporters in July.
“Speedy could be a huge, huge contributor early and often all season long, and that’s my expectation. He’s primed and ready to play a huge role in our offense.”
Addison has benefited from Justin Jefferson being sidelined so far in training camp with a hamstring issue. The same is likely true for Nailor as he will look to capitalize in Addison’s place in the Vikings’ offense.
NFL Comes Down on Jordan Addison
“Discipline: NFL suspended Vikings WR Jordan Addison for the first three games of the 2025 regular season for violating the league’s Substances of Abuse Policy,” Schefter reported on X on August 5. “Addison now will miss games at Chicago, vs. the Falcons and vs. the Bengals.
“Jordan Addison will be permitted to participate in all training camp activities, including preseason games without restriction.”
The Vikings released a statement on X acknowledging the decision.
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This is Addison’s first suspension, but it is his second run-in with the law since entering the NFL. He was also cited for reckless driving after the draft in 2023.
The Vikings selected Addison with the No. 23 overall pick in the 2023 draft. He has logged 133 receptions for 1,786 yards, and 19 touchdowns over his first two seasons. His absence will be felt in the Vikings’ offense.
Jordan Addison Set to Lose Significant Amount of Money
Addison is suspended without pay, so he will forfeit those three game checks from his four-year, $13.7 million rookie scale deal.
“#Vikings WR Jordan Addison stands to forfeit over $88,000 per game missed due to suspension,” Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti posted on X in July. “The full guarantee on his 2 years, $4.6M remaining would void.”
Addison owned up to his transgression and awaited the NFL’s decision.
“Everything is out of my control right now,” Addison told reporters in July. “Whatever the league’s got for me, I’ll be prepared with whatever decision they make.”
The NFL had been monitoring the situation and announced as much after Addison agreed to the lesser charge. Their three-game ruling was the expectation following recent precedent set by other decisions.
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Addison said recently that he does not believe he is a bad person but acknowledges he must make better decisions going forward.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert noted on X that the NFL did not offer any reduction in punishment even with the lesser charge. Addison also participated in anti-drunk driving organizations as part of his efforts to make amends for his actions.
