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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison produced an eye-opening message—”Free 3″—in a recent Instagram story.
One can surmise that Addison isn’t thrilled with his usage lately, or lack thereof.
Addison has played five games this season and seen four or fewer targets in four of those contests. Thursday featured a season-low three targets for two catches and 22 yards in a 30-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Addison, a former USC star, was the No. 23 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. He fared quite well in his rookie season, posting 70 receptions for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns on 108 targets.
But this year, Addison has just 14 catches for 231 yards and a score in five games (he missed Weeks 2 and 3 with a right ankle ailment). He had just three catches apiece in his first four games before the Rams matchup.
So it’s been an unusually quiet year for Addison, especially given his rookie production.
There is a sidebar to the IG story. “Free 3” is a statement that means a lot to him, so much so that it appeared on a chain he wore at his draft night.
A L I S S A @MissAlissaS
Don’t worry guys—Jordan Addison has used FREE 3 since he was drafted.
Clearly about getting loose & scoring TDs. #SKOL pic.twitter.com/kMXwscWQe1
Ultimately, wide receivers want the ball. Addison isn’t getting the ball, and he likely wants the ball more, as he should.
This IG story very likely isn’t anything more than that.
It’s not uncommon for wide receivers to speak up for themselves, or request more looks. In fact, here’s what his teammate, No. 1 receiver Justin Jefferson, had to say earlier this week.
“I’m definitely sick of having these 80, 90-yard games,” Jefferson said, per Dave Campbell of the Associated Press. “I definitely have to get over that hump of 100 yards. That’s definitely my plan.”
He added: “If you see it on tape, the explosive plays are all over the field, not just me. They’re all over the field, and we’ve just got to be dialed in, all 11, to execute those plays and to give [Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold] a little bit more time. So it’s going to be one of these games that we’re going to show the world what we’re really capable of, and hopefully it’s Thursday night.”
Heading into Thursday, Jefferson went four games without hitting 100 receiving yards. Against the Rams, Jefferson caught eight passes for 115 yards. It was clear the Vikings wanted to feed him early and often, too, with three catches for 44 yards on the opening drive.
Maybe it’s Addison’s turn now to get the rock. Up next is a Sunday Night Football matchup on Nov. 3 against the Indianapolis Colts.
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