O’Connell attributed Addison’s ability to seamlessly perform with any quarterback – he caught passes from four players (Kirk Cousins, Nick Mullens, Joshua Dobbs and Jaren Hall) as a rookie in 2023 – to his “very, very unique” route-running and separation skills that are accented through the offense’s scheme.

“He can win early. He can win late. And then he’s proven time and time again just how elite a catcher of the football he is. So I think that’s Jordan,” O’Connell commented. “The training camp he had, you know, if you asked me to figure out the podium of first, second and third place of the best training camps we had, he would for sure be on the podium. … He was as good as he’s ever been for us throughout [camp].

O’Connell continued, “Hoping he can pick up right where he left off.”

“His role, clearly, is a role that he’s kind of really made for himself over his time here, knowing how versatile and all the things we do with Justin [Jefferson], Jordan’s kind of the same way; he could be in any position in our formation,” O’Connell added. “And then that’s where I’m really excited about having both Jalen [Nailor] and Adam [Thielen] – to really kind of fuel having the best group we can have fresh.”

It was tough for Addison to be on the outside looking in during the initial part of his suspension, as he was unable to be at the team facility, but he leaned on loved ones and maintained the focus he showed in training camp by “taking mental reps so that once I came back, it’s like I ain’t missing a beat,” he said.

“I was in my thoughts a lot,” Addison added. “So just being able to come back in the building (recently) and chill with my teammates – crack jokes, laugh – it was a big part of the process of coming back.”