Something strange is going on. Most Chicago Bears fans are likely familiar with Jordan Addison. He is a former 1st round pick of the Minnesota Vikings who has developed into one of the NFL’s best #2 wide receivers alongside Justin Jefferson. He’s also had his share of issues off the field, leading to some frustration in Minneapolis about what to do with him. His talent is undeniable. When Addison is on, he is a playmaker. The issue for the Vikings is whether they want to pay him. They have until May 1st to pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. If they don’t, they’re left with two choices: let him play out his deal this season or trade him. So, how does this involve Caleb Williams?
Well, something strange happened on Instagram on Monday during the start of free agency. First, Addison posted a photograph of himself wearing a Matt Forte jersey. Below it is a quote.
“Only wore ’em once.”
That in itself is odd. Addison has no direct connection to Chicago. He was born in Maryland, went to college at Pitt before transferring to USC. Here’s where it gets weird. Later the same day, Williams posted on his Instagram stories. It was a photo of Addison during a game against Chicago. Below was a familiar caption.
“Only wore ’em once.”
Caleb Williams may sense an opportunity forming.
Addison has dropped hints since 2024 about his unhappiness with his usage in the Vikings’ offense. His targets have gone down every season. Last year, it dropped from 99 to 79. No matter what Minnesota says, they have been slowly reducing his role. Part of that is his own fault, stemming from the DUI and other off-field setbacks. They already paid Jefferson a massive contract. They may not be wild about giving Addison a ton of money either. Trading him now might be the only way they net a decent return.
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It isn’t hard to imagine why Caleb Williams might be trying to make this happen. After all, he and Addison were teammates in 2022 with USC. The receiver had 875 yards and eight touchdowns despite missing three games. That success enabled him to go in the 1st round. They developed a friendship in a surprisingly short time, even as they became division rivals. Now you see two photographs pointing to something going on. Could it be a coincidence? Sure, but the smoke is hard to ignore when it’s so obvious.
Trading for Addison isn’t so crazy.
Chicago just unloaded D.J. Moore. Rome Odunze suffered multiple injury setbacks last year. Their depth is a question mark. Bringing in somebody that talented, whom the quarterback trusts, makes a degree of sense. We also know the Vikings aren’t above making trades within the division. It all depends on how much they want in return if they were to make him available. Given the contract and off-the-field issues, the best they can probably hope for is a day two pick.
If the Bears were to do it, they would have to be serious about possibly extending the wide receiver after acquiring him. The good news is he is likely to command less money per year than Moore did. Would Ben Johnson sign off on it? He has a reputation for believing he can coach anybody. Wide receivers with unique personalities are nothing new to him. Addison has the YAC ability the Bears’ head coach wants. This will be something worth watching as the offseason unfolds.
