In a previous article, I discussed the tediously long NFL offseason and how breaking it into quarters makes it a bit more tolerable. With the draft concluded and minicamps and OTAs now underway, we’ve entered the third quarter. We’re getting there.
With things (somewhat) quiet before the schedule release and the general manager vacancy filled, this is a good opportunity to quickly run through some news and notes about our favorite team that I haven’t covered yet. Spring cleaning time.
First, the recent
news…
JAUAN JENNINGS IS THE NEW WR3
After a preliminary visit a week or so ago, free-agent WR Jauan Jennings is now a member of the Minnesota Vikings. The former San Francisco 49ers standout has signed a one-year deal worth up to $13 million, with incentives. Jennings had nine touchdowns on 55 receptions last season. That’s impressive enough, but what really makes the signing exciting is the physicality he brings to the run game. He’s an outstanding blocker and will make our offense that much more balanced and difficult to handle.
After the signing, three thoughts immediately came to the forefront of my mind.
First, the Jefferson-Addison-Jennings WR trio is now the greatest 1-2-3 threat the Vikings have had since Carter-Moss-Reed, back when people were excited about AOL Instant Messenger, listened to music on CDs, and went on weekly Blockbuster runs.
Second, while I’m still not a fan, the Jennings signing makes it more palatable if you view it in this light:
Third, as if any more were needed, this is further evidence that it’s 2026 playoff-or-bust for this team. An 11-6, 10-7, one-and-done season won’t cut it. Not making the playoffs would be catastrophic and could prompt a major offseason shakeup. We need to win some playoff games, period.
JORDAN ADDISON IS A VIKING THROUGH 2027 (AT LEAST)…
While expected for a while, the Vikings officially exercised Jordan Addison’s fifth-year option. This will keep Addison catching passes and making plays for the good guys through (at least) 2027. To date, Addison is former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s best draft pick (2023 Round 1/Pick 23). He flashed legitimate WR1 ability as a rookie right after Justin Jefferson’s extended absence, especially in wins over the 49ers and Packers before Kirk Cousins’ season-ending injury. Even with so much uncertainty and inconsistency at QB in his first three seasons, his numbers are impressive: 175 receptions, 2,396 receiving yards (13.7 Y/R), and 22 receiving touchdowns.
The question now turns to a long-term extension. While rumors of discussions persist, it may not happen in the near future. The Vikings are staring at a massive, salary-cap-driven question mark at the most important position heading into 2027. If Kyler Murray pulls a Sam Darnold, which, given the talent and coaching, is a distinct possibility, he’ll be looking at a significant extension. The Vikings got egg on their collective face once with the Darnold debacle; I’d be shocked if they allowed it to happen again. Not even the Vikings are capable of that…right? If that means overpaying in a potential bidding war, then so be it.
…IS AN EXTENSION ON THE HORIZON?
A costly Murray contract, coupled with Jefferson’s current deal running through 2028, could make an Addison extension prohibitive. The floor on such a deal would be in the Tee Higgins (4 years/$115 mil/$40.9 mil guaranteed) and Alec Pierce (4 years/$114 mil/$84 mil guaranteed) range. Upward of $30 mil AAV for a WR2. Unless the idea is to let Jefferson walk after 2028 at 30 years of age, hand the WR1 to Addison, then… ummm… maybe? No, that’s a horrible idea, and it has absolutely nothing to do with Addison. He’s fantastic, and in a perfect world, he’d be here for another decade. But the salary cap often makes such a world impossible. A quick historical nugget: Randy Moss had 47 total receiving touchdowns during his age 30 to 32 seasons. Cris Carter logged 122 receptions at 30 years old and 65 receiving touchdowns between 30 and 34 years of age. Jefferson shouldn’t be going anywhere.
Even if Murray is one-and-done, the Vikings will have to pay someone to play QB long term after 2026. Whether that’s J.J. McCarthy or the ongoing veteran Band-Aid/reclamation project route, the costs are about to rise considerably from Murray’s veteran-minimum $1.3 million salary. And the one good thing about the Vikings is that they rarely bottom out to the point where they can draft the #1 or #2 QB on the board.
In the end, paying Addison will create the sort of top-heavy cap structure that only works with sustained, exceptional drafting – something the Vikings haven’t exactly excelled at over the years. That could change with a new GM, but the history is what it is. Regardless, it’ll be interesting to see how the Addison situation unfolds. Let’s hope he’s here for the long term. That’s certainly my hope. And it’s important to note that any long-term extension for Jennings as an insurance policy doesn’t change the salary cap calculus or the larger issue at hand. Stay tuned.
KOC IS EXCITED ABOUT THE OFFENSE
I saw this KOC quote, courtesy of KFAN1003:
“I call it the Justin Jefferson program. If they’re playing man coverage, they’re absolutely not playing just 1 on 1…what that means if you’re going to try and play those coverages, and have a spy for Kyler Murray, or for that matter any of our other QBs, you’re leaving yourself a 3 man rush…so you have to ask yourself, what do you have to take away. If the answer is Justin Jefferson or Jordan Addison, there’s going to be some opportunity (for everyone else on offense).”
Mind you, this quote is weeks old and predates the Jauan Jennings signing. Afterward, KOC added the following observation:
“[As the third receiver] you’ve got to be able to be a slot receiver, you’ve got to be able to do some of those jobs on the early downs that we ask for that player,” O’Connell said. “You’ve got to be able to line up on third down, and you’re one of the few players that might be single-covered in man-to-man. You’ve got to be able to win, you’ve got to be able to make contested catches, and you’ve got to be able to do something with it after the catches. Jauan does all those things.”
Listen, to quote Michael Scott, “Fool me once, strike one. But fool me twice… strike three.” Well, I’ve lost count of the consecutive strikeouts I’ve endured when it comes to having legit preseason optimism spectacularly blow up in my face. But…dammit…I’m ready to get hurt again. If I were a defensive coordinator, I don’t know how I’d stop this offense, regardless of who is playing QB. Murray, an improved McCarthy, or Wentz, back at 100%, can all lead this group to 30 points per game. Add Brian Flores’ defense to the equation? How is 11 wins not the floor? We went 9-8 with the most inconsistent QB play over the course of a season since, well, I can’t remember when. Maybe 2013…or…2007? Even then, the offense went through Adrian Peterson.
Oh, yeah, I’m definitely ready to get hurt again.
On the topic of wishful thinking, I’ll see you all next time for a look at the 2026 Vikings’ schedule.
