Vikings Fans Freak Out over Trade Rumor
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
Minnesota Vikings fans are not strangers to wide receiver drama.
Vikings Fans Freak Out over Trade Rumor
Stefon Diggs provided such theater five years ago, and because of scars from that era, some of the teamās onlookers believe wideout Jordan Addison is following suit.
Minnesota wide receiver J. Addison (3) celebrates scoring a touchdown run in the second quarter during their football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Ā© Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
Addison posted a photo of himself this weekend to Instagram with a caption of āFree 3.ā
Predictable, fans pounced and interpreted the post as a would-be trade request or hint of disgruntlement. @SupaCyata commented on X, the website formerly known as Twitter, āHis vibe always seemed like he didnāt love being here.ā
@AmaltheaGlass added, āIām assuming he wants to be thrown to more often. And I canāt blame him. Heās only talked about anymore when he makes a mistake, but if you watch the games heās open all the time and the ball keeps going anywhere and everywhere else. Coulda had more than a few first downs and TDs.ā
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dozens of likeminded quips on social media accompanied those above. But the only caveat is that Addisonās caption probably isnāt a trade request ā itās his personal motto. He frequently wears āFREE 3ā on a chain around his neck.
He even wore the FREE3 chain when the Vikings drafted him a year and a half ago ā and Addison very vividly was not looking for a trade that day or any since. āFREE 3ā is a shoutout that Addison wants to produce on the field, similar to a spin-off of āLFG,ā which athletes use frequently.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
Addison has logged 23 receptions for 231 yards and has banked a couple of touchdowns this year. He missed two games to injury earlier in the season, and his current pace is 561 receiving yards ā a downgrade from his 911 yards last year and 10 touchdowns as a rookie in 2023.
Addisonās teammate, cornerback Mekhi Blackmon, who attended college with Addison at LSU, assured the masses that Addison isnāt seeking a trade.
On July 12th, Addison was arrested near Los Angeles International Airport for suspicion of DUI while asleep in his Rolls-Royce that blocked a lane of freeway traffic ā about a week after his rookie teammate Khyree Jackson was killed in Maryland by an alleged drunk driver.
Addison arrived at Vikings training camp in late July, prepared to learn from the mistake, accept his forthcoming consequence, and move on. āWhateverās out there for me, whatever comes with it, Iāll own up to everything. I feel like anything that comes my way is meant to happen or is deserved,āĀ Addison told reporters.
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
The young playmaker uses the āFREE 3ā motto pretty liberally, and folks should not construe it as discontent.
The Vikings host the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9 on Sunday Night Football, and the return of T.J. Hockenson will give the offense an additional injection.
For those who remain steadfast over Addisonās Instagram post, would a player really be searching for a way off a 5-2 team? Those theories are generally reserved for teams showcasing a 2-5 record, for example, not 5-2.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, āThe Sopranos,ā Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.Ā
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
