The Minnesota Vikings are hoping rookie receiver Jordan Addison will seamlessly replace Adam Thielen as the club’s No. 2 WR opposite Justin Jefferson, but the first-round pick’s summer didn’t get off to the greatest start. On July 20, Addison was cited by the Minnesota State Patrol for driving 140 miles per hour in a 55 miles-per-hour zone. Could Addison face an NFL suspension as a result of his citation?
Will the NFL Suspend Vikings WR Jordan Addison?
Although Addison was driving 85 miles over the posted speed limit, he was cited — not arrested — when stopped. The Minnesota State Patrol’s filing noted that Addison was cited for reckless driving “while consciously disregarding a substantial or unjustifiable risk.”
The citation also revealed that Addison said he was traveling 140 miles per hour because his dog was having an emergency at home.
“Yesterday morning I made a mistake and used poor judgment, I recognize and own that,” Addison said in a statement. “I am going to learn from this and not repeat the behavior. I am truly sorry.”
Addison reported to the Vikings’ training camp on Sunday, July 23. The team also released a statement on the incident.
“We are aware of last night’s traffic incident involving Jordan Addison and are gathering additional information,” the Vikings said.
Ultimately, Addison is unlikely to be suspended under the NFL’s personal conduct policy. He wasn’t arrested, and no one was injured due to his speeding, which should limit the punishment the league levies out. Addison was also not under the influence of alcohol or drugs when he was pulled over.
Meanwhile, the NFL hasn’t typically handed out suspensions for speeding. Last August, Arizona Cardinals receiver Marquise Brown was arrested for criminal speeding after going 126 miles per hour in a 65 mph zone. The state of Arizona fined Brown, but the NFL has not punished him.
Addison did not participate in the Vikings’ offseason training activities or mandatory minicamp while dealing with an undisclosed injury. Still, Minnesota is hoping for immediate production out of Addison, whom they selected with the 23rd overall pick in April’s draft.
Addison spent the first two years of his college career at Pittsburgh, earning consensus All-American honors and winning the Fred Biletnikoff Award in 2021 after posting a 100-1,593-17 line. His numbers dropped after he transferred to USC in 2022 and missed three games with an injury, but the Vikings were sold on his athleticism, speed, and footwork.