Jordan Addison was supposed to play a starring role for the Minnesota Vikings in 2023; he wasn’t supposed to be the team’s WR1.
That role belonged to Justin Jefferson, with the rookie first round draft pick playing a key supporting role in place of Adam Thielen who signed with the Carolina Panthers last offseason. A slow but encouraging start gave way to a steep learning curve after Week 5. Jefferson hit the injured list with a hamstring injury, pushing the former Pittsburgh and USC star to the top of quarterback Kirk Cousins’ wish list.
He responded in Week 6 with a meager, three catch, 28-yard performance. Then, on Monday night in Week 7, he proved he is, in fact, ready for the spotlight.
TAKEN AWAY BY ADDISON FOR THE 60-YARD SCORE 🔥
📺: #SFvsMIN on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/riDUhbzXkK pic.twitter.com/E3TaKaYMA9— NFL (@NFL) October 24, 2023
Without a timeout left, Minnesota was just looking for a big chunk of yardage and a quick spike to set up a potential longshot field goal attempt. Instead, Addison ripped the ball from Charvarius Ward’s hands, robbing the San Francisco 49ers’ top cornerback of an interception, extending the Vikings’ lead and, crucially, getting revenge for Ward’s yanked-from-his-hands pick from the first quarter:
"Gimme that!" @itslilmooney#SFvsMIN on ESPN
NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4nCVJ pic.twitter.com/Xuo27ZTRgN— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 24, 2023
The touchdown was Addison’s second of the night — and fans and analysts across the spectrum took notice.
Peyton, @EliManning and @AaronRodgers12 are all of us watching that play pic.twitter.com/wNiU9OkzAh
— Omaha Productions (@OmahaProd) October 24, 2023
Jordan Addison saw all the weight room tweets after the pick and has been lifting on the sideline ever since
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) October 24, 2023
Kirk hanging in the pocket to get that ball out when SF brought the house was so impressive, too.
— Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV) October 24, 2023
wait what just happened on that Addison TD show me 11 million replays
— Chris Towers …Is A Real Boy (@CTowersCBS) October 24, 2023
The guy that's 5'11, 173lbs just physically ripped the ball away from the guy that's 6'1, 196
Not outmuscled this time.pic.twitter.com/fgVfHZI4N6
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) October 24, 2023
jordan addison over bettors rejoice
— charles (“you look good” – andy reid) mcdonald (@FourVerts) October 24, 2023
This game is so goofy lmao
— JP Acosta (Pug Dederson Stan Acct) (@acosta32_jp) October 24, 2023
He did WHAAAAT?!
— Fᴏᴏᴛʙᴀʟʟ Zᴇʙʀᴀs🇺🇦 (@footballzebras) October 24, 2023
Weirdly I think Addison shoulda had the first one and Ward shoulda had the second
— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@PFF_Brad) October 24, 2023
Jordan Addison: pic.twitter.com/AFMQROdwy5
— Khari Thompson (@kdthompson5) October 24, 2023
Why can't Dallas do this to the Niners https://t.co/EejVz2Lc8l
— Collin Brennan (@producerCollin) October 24, 2023
America, meet Jordan Addison. pic.twitter.com/soUMXFAppi
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 24, 2023
Jordan Addison giveth, Jordan Addison taketh away!!!!!
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) October 24, 2023
Jordan Addison fantasy managers right now 😱 pic.twitter.com/cbP4i5yNyJ
— ESPN Fantasy Sports (@ESPNFantasy) October 24, 2023
Jordan Addison in the first half
Already 2 TDs and 25.5 PPR Points 🔥 pic.twitter.com/twVWRospjh
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) October 24, 2023
How Addison stole the ball from Ward pic.twitter.com/fZzabiRZZF
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) October 24, 2023
Jordan Addison just turned this into a touchdown 🤯 pic.twitter.com/1e1dinu9JU
— SB Nation (@SBNation) October 24, 2023