What Vikings WR Jordan Addison worked to improve this offseason

On Friday, ESPN's Kevin Seifert wrote that Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison "wanted to improve his technique and intention when releasing from the line of scrimmage at the snap" following his stellar rookie season.

"Last year I wasn't as confident in my releases," Addison explained. "I wasn't being decisive. I didn't have a plan when I was coming up to the line. I was just freelancing trying to make something work."

The Vikings selected Addison with the 23rd overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, and he exceeded many expectations for him this past September. Per ESPN stats, he finished his first pro season second on the Vikings with 70 receptions, second with 108 targets, third with 911 receiving yards and with a team-best 10 touchdown catches.

Head coach Kevin O'Connell suggested that Addison showed signs of improvement from organized team activities through mandatory minicamp this spring.

"Jordan Addison had as good of an offseason program as really you can ask for," O'Connell said. "[He is] a guy that had a ton of success in year one. And really, from a standpoint of getting a little stronger, getting a little bit more comfortable playing through contact and still playing with that great burst and transition that he has, you saw some real growth there [this spring]."

Justin Jefferson, regarded by many as the best overall player at the position, received a four-year, $140M contract extension from the Vikings that included $110M guaranteed and made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Recent history shows that the Vikings may ultimately have to make a difficult decision regarding Addison's long-term future, but O'Connell will first hope that the 22-year-old helps either veteran Sam Darnold or rookie J.J. McCarthy find success as the club's starting quarterback.

It's widely believed that Addison, Jefferson and other Minnesota players will catch passes thrown by Darnold when the Vikings open the regular season at the New York Giants on Sept. 8. When training camp practices begin next month, Addison will look to build additional chemistry with both quarterbacks.