Jordan Addison clears up controversial Instagram post

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison made headlines over the weekend with a post on his Instagram account, but it appears to have done no harm after he cleared the air while speaking with reporters on Monday.

Addison posted a picture of himself on his Instagram Story on Saturday with the caption “Free 3,” and many thought that meant he wanted more targets or a trade from Minnesota. But according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert on Monday, Addison's post referenced a phrase he's used since high school that had nothing to do with his role in the Vikings' offense.

In addition to telling Seifert, “I'm straight,” Addison added another post to his Instagram Story on Monday, pointing out that he used the slogan during his days in Pittsburgh with the caption, “Do your homework.” .

Addison may be happy with his role on offense, but there's some validation if he's unhappy with his goals. After a rookie year in which he caught 70 passes for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns, Addison has just 14 catches for 231 yards and a touchdown in his second season with the Vikings.

While some of his problems were related to two ankle injuries in training camp and the season-opening win over the New York Giants, Addison also has just three more targets (23) than Johnny Mundt (20), who averages just 6.6 yards a reception this season.

But more than just production can be the scars Vikings fans face when it comes to cryptic social media posts. Stefon Diggs essentially tweeted his way out of Minnesota in 2020 and Buffalo this past offseason when he wasn't happy with his role on the team, and the immediate reaction of many is to call players “divas” when posts like that one that Addison made appear on her timeline.

There is also a question of timing. The Vikings have lost two straight games and scored just six points after scoring touchdowns on their first two drives in a 30-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams last Thursday.

With Christian Darrisaw suffering a season-ending injury in the loss, it would be appropriate if the players started to get angry and the team collapsed after a fast start, like it did in 2003 (6-0 before missing the playoffs). and 2016 (5) the case was -0 before missing playoffs).

This also comes from a player who was cited for speeding in July 2023 and then arrested for drunk driving shortly before training camp last summer.

These events should be taken into consideration if Addison's contribution, which doesn't cause any negative feelings now, might cause some as the Vikings head into the offseason.

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