MINNEAPOLIS — Throughout this increasingly wild Minnesota Vikings season, Justin Jefferson has had to be more than simply the best receiver in football. He has also been a therapist of sorts for his wingman, Jordan Addison, the second-year pass catcher who has been frustrated at times with his underwhelming production after an electric rookie season.
Jefferson could see the steam coming out of Addison’s ears at times this season. He knew about the “Free 3” social media post that came after Addison had just two catches for 22 yards in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams last week. Even though Addison downplayed the message, saying that he has been using the phrase since his college years, Jefferson felt compelled to offer his counsel to the 22-year-old who so badly wants to leave his mark on the game.
“That’s what I continue to preach to him every single play and every single game,” Jefferson said. “Even if the targets aren’t coming to you at this very moment, they’re going to come. He’s still a tremendous player. He’s still a weapon on this team that we need.”
On Sunday night in a 21-13 win over the Indianapolis Colts, 3 was most certainly freed. He had five catches for 42 yards, including a sensational, one-handed snag of a touchdown that reminded everyone of just how gifted Addison is.
After the Vikings stumbled and bumbled through a scoreless first half, Addison got them on the board early in the second when he came off the line of scrimmage, feigned a down block and scooted toward the corner of the end zone. Quarterback Sam Darnold was under duress and let rip with a throw over Addison’s shoulder, and the receiver leaped into the air and got his left hand on the ball, pinning it to his shoulder.
What a way to start the 2nd half 🔥 pic.twitter.com/q4r1fdwsCB
— NFL (@NFL) November 4, 2024
“It was crazy,” Addison said with a smile that has not been seen too often this season. “I just saw him throw the ball. I didn’t know if I was going to get there or not. I just put my hand out and it stuck. Shoutout to the left hand.”
The response brought laughter from the throng around him, a welcome soundtrack during a tense period of his career. He was a revelation as a rookie, catching 70 passes for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns, looking every bit the worthy running mate opposite Jefferson. The juice in his game leaped off the screen, with razor-sharp cuts in and out of breaks creating separation from defensive backs likely not expecting as much from a 5-foot-11, 175-pound adversary.
All of the success built anticipation for his sophomore season, but it hit the rocks before it even began. Addison was arrested in July on suspicion of driving under the influence when Los Angeles police found him asleep at the wheel of his Rolls Royce. He was charged with two misdemeanors.
The specter of punishment from the NFL was hanging over his head through the start of the season, but the league has yet to hand out any discipline while the legal process plays out. A hearing on the charges originally scheduled for October has been delayed until next month. Addison said in July that he was “in a dark place” after the incident but that support from his teammates and the organization lifted him up during a time of need. He vowed to own up to his mistake, put it behind him and make an impact on the field.
Prior to Sunday night, Addison had not looked like the same player. He missed two games with an ankle injury and had just 14 catches for 231 yards and one touchdown in five games.
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The electricity in his game finally started to re-emerge against the Colts. Not only did he have the highlight reel touchdown, but he also ran a superb out route in the fourth quarter for a 21-yard catch that converted a second-and-9 and set up Minnesota’s game-sealing touchdown, a 14-yarder from Darnold to tight end Josh Oliver.
Jefferson said Addison has also been dealing with a few injuries that have taken away some of his explosiveness. When asked if he felt more like himself this week, the quiet Addison demurred.
“I just feel like today I maximized my opportunities,” he said. “That’s all that was.”
Or did he?
Darnold was up and down all night, throwing dimes one minute and making terrible decisions the next. On both of his interceptions, it appeared that he had Addison open but missed him to throw into heavier coverage elsewhere. Addison’s father, Rolando, was not pleased. After the second one, he posted on X that “Even Stevie Wonder could see Jordan Addison is open on Sam Darnold’s interception!!!”
Even Stevie Wonder could see Jordan Addison is open on Sam Darnold’s interception!!!🤷🏾♂️
— Rolando Addison Sr. (@RolandoAddison) November 4, 2024
“I think, when his opportunities come, he takes advantage of it. You saw that tonight,” running back Cam Akers said. “I think he’ll continue to do that. I think he’ll continue to be a spark for our team. He’ll continue to be a silent leader and make plays for us.”
The Vikings offense definitely needs it. Jefferson continues to dust defensive backs all game long. He had seven catches for 137 yards against the Colts. But tight end T.J. Hockenson made his season debut after rehabbing a torn ACL and will likely need time to knock off the rust. Jalen Nailor has shown promise but is unproven. There are few players in the league, let alone on the Vikings, capable of making the kind of catch Addison did in the end zone.
Oh my… this angle of the Jordan Addison TD 🎥🔥 pic.twitter.com/0optsZlV8R
— NFL (@NFL) November 4, 2024
“The catch was unbelievable,” Darnold said. “For him to be able to snag that the way he did and keep the ball away from the ground, it was just unbelievable body control.”
“That was insane,” Hockenson said. “JA is a guy that can make plays like that, and I love to see it from him.”
As confident as Addison is, he even surprised himself. The natural righty said he didn’t know he was capable of making a catch like that with his off hand. He called it the best catch of his career, which might be just what he needs to get himself going.
“I ain’t gonna lie. It surprised me a little bit,” he said. “But now I know. Now I know.”
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(Photo: Stephen Maturen / Getty Images)
