All the talk surrounding the New England Patriots at this point in the offseason centers on their chances of landing a top-tier wide receiver to become their instant WR1, a role the offense has been lacking. Most of the conversation has revolved around AJ Brown, but that trade is unlikely to happen until June 1 at the earliest.
If the Patriots want to get someone in the door much sooner than that, which would be a smarter move, then they'll have to consider other potentially traded players, with the latest name being Vikings star Jordan Addison.
Although he's had a few run-ins with the law over the last year or two, he has become a solid option for Minnesota quarterbacks to work with since he was drafted in the first round in 2023. He immediately took a backseat to Justin Jefferson, but he's still managed to string together three impressive seasons and is in line for a contract extension this offseason.
Vikings fans, however, aren't so sure that's a good idea, and some, like team expert Adam Patrick, are already referring to a new deal as risky, mostly given his off-the-field drama and a productive yet unremarkable career so far.
That could create an opening for a team like the Patriots to inquire about Addison's availability, especially if the Vikings start to feel a bit hesitant about getting an extension done.
Vikings might back out of an extension for Jordan Addison, or could write an out in his contract as a precaution
While discussing the ongoing extension talks between Minnesota and Addison, Patrick mentioned the big questions that come with keeping the receiver around, given the concerns about his behavior, and whether that's a risk they're willing to take.
That would be something the Patriots would have to consider, too, if they wanted to pursue a trade, and it looks like the Vikings would entertain it if they're unable to reach an agreement or get cold feet about keeping Addison around long-term.
"But is Addison's production enough to lower the Vikings' concerns about what he does off the field moving forward? Even if it is, it would be wise for Minnesota to create an extension that allows the team to quickly back out of the deal if the wide receiver finds himself in another troubling situation in the future.
Unfortunately for Addison, his poor off-the-field decisions in the last three years are likely going to limit how much the Vikings are willing to offer. If he's looking to become one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL, then that probably won't happen as a member of Minnesota's roster."
Maybe the Patriots won't be interested in making him the highest-paid receiver, and not many teams should be; they could be willing to give him a hefty contract to make him their WR1, which sounds like a desirable plan given he's only 24 years old and would have plenty of time to grow with Drake Maye.
At the very least, Addison should be up for consideration in the eyes of Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf, as their options to add the caliber of wide receiver the Patriots need continue to dwindle.
There might be other players who become available, perhaps Chris Olave, Drake London, or Brian Thomas Jr., and they will fit more of what the Patriots are looking for. But they should exhaust all their options before putting all their eggs in the AJ Brown basket, which includes Addison.