9 October 2023
Let’s just get something out in the open. Nobody is capable of replacing superstar receiver Justin Jefferson. He’s arguably the best player in the league at his position, and thus, an incomparable player for the Vikings.
Still, if Jefferson is forced to miss an extended period for the Vikings after suffering a hamstring injury, rookie receiver Jordan Addison seems capable of stepping up.
He proved as much on Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium, serving as a spark plug for the Vikings in a 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Though he didn’t get behind the defense like he has a couple of times this season, Addison poured in his most complete game to date, finishing with six catches for 64 yards and a touchdown.
Asked if he feels like he’s the next man up, Addison noted how every receiver on the Vikings is going to have to do a little bit more.
“We have all of our guys starting to think like that now,” Addison said. “It’s going to be a hell of a week of practice.”
There’s reason to believe he could lead the charge.
Since being taken in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft, Addison has certainly looked the part for the Vikings. He’s very explosive off the line and has a suddenness to his route running that allows him to create separation with relative ease. He also catches the ball very well in traffic despite his 5-foot-11, 175-pound frame.
“Oh man,” fellow receiver Brandon Powell said when asked about Addison. “He’ll be a great receiver in this league some day. Y’all see it out there. He makes plays whenever the ball goes his way.”
Frankly, Addison might already be a great receiver. He has every tool necessary in his bag, which, in turn, explains why quarterback Kirk Cousins continued to go to Addison when the Vikings needed a big play against the Chiefs.
“He’s the real deal,” Cousins said. “We hit on that draft pick.”
It’s hard to disagree with that at this point. Just look at the way Addison stepped up twice on fourth down when the Vikings needed it against the Chiefs. He cooked his defender off the line on both occasions and found a sliver of space in the open field.
Asked if he thinks Addison can take on a bigger role if Jefferson is out, head coach Kevin O’Connell pointed to the entire group of receivers. He then added, “I thought Jordan was really good today.” Maybe the only thing O’Connell would’ve preferred Addison do differently against the Chiefs is force the issue on cornerback L’Jarius Sneed with hopes of getting a pass interference call in a critical situation.
Not surprisingly, Addison brought that up postgame, noting he could’ve done more in that moment.
“The ball went up I didn’t really see it,” Addison said. “I have to make sure I go and attack it so I could draw that flag.”
The fact that Addison was the guy who the Vikings went to in that situation without Jefferson on the field isn’t a coincidence.
“Once I had heard he went down,” Addison said, “I’m like, ‘OK. This is my time where I can step up and show everybody in the stadium that I am that guy.’ ”
He might have to be that guy for the foreseeable future.
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