A day after the Minnesota Vikings concluded their mandatory minicamp on June 12, wide receiver Jordan Addison sparked conversation with an Instagram post. The first image in his photo dump featured a warm embrace with Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, captured after a 2024 regular season game. Notably absent from the collection was any image of Addison’s current quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, prompting fans to speculate about the message behind the post.
Fan Reactions Highlight McCarthy’s Absence
The omission of McCarthy, the Vikings’ second-year quarterback who was recently cleared to play by the team’s medical staff after missing his entire rookie season due to a significant meniscus injury, didn’t go unnoticed. Fans quickly flooded the comments section with reactions. One wrote, “One camp with McCarthy and bro is missing Caleb,” while another speculated, “No pic with J.J., is bro tryna tell us McCarthy is not him?” Some Chicago Bears fans chimed in, with one teasing, “U wanna be a bear don’t u.”
Addison’s post included other images of himself with Vikings teammates, but the spotlight remained on the photo with Williams and the absence of McCarthy. Williams, for his part, engaged with the post by liking it and sharing the image of himself and Addison on his own Instagram story.
A Bond Forged at USC
Addison and Williams share a deep connection from their time as college teammates at USC. Addison began his collegiate career at the University of Pittsburgh, where he had a breakout 2021 season, recording 100 catches for 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns. That year, he led the NCAA in receiving touchdowns, earning the Fred Biletnikoff Award and consensus All-American honors. In 2022, Addison transferred to USC, where he became Williams’s go-to target, finishing with 59 receptions for 875 yards and eight touchdowns.
In a March 2023 interview on The Jim Rome Show, Addison praised Williams’s playmaking ability, saying, “Real fun. Real exciting, can’t give up on no plays. You know, just having him in our backfield, knowing that he could extend the play at any given moment is just you know that a big play could come at any time.” Their chemistry was evident, and their friendship has clearly endured beyond their college days.
Addison’s Rising Star in the NFL
Selected 23rd overall by the Vikings in the 2023 NFL Draft, Addison made an immediate impact as a rookie. He appeared in 17 games, starting 14, and racked up 911 yards on 70 receptions with 10 touchdowns. His performance was historic, as he became only the 13th rookie in NFL history—and the fifth since 2000—to record at least 900 receiving yards and double-digit touchdowns. He also tied for the most receiving touchdowns among rookies that year and had five touchdowns of 35+ yards, the second-most in the NFL.
In his second season, Addison continued to shine, playing in 15 games and catching 63 passes for 875 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 13.9 yards per catch. As he enters his third year with the Vikings, expectations are high for Addison to achieve his first 1,000-yard season.
What’s Next for Addison and McCarthy?
While Addison’s Instagram post may have raised eyebrows, it’s likely a reflection of his close friendship with Williams rather than a deliberate slight against McCarthy. However, for Addison to reach the 1,000-yard milestone in 2025, he’ll need to build strong chemistry with McCarthy, who is poised to take the field after his injury-plagued rookie year. As training camp and the regular season approach, all eyes will be on how well the duo connects on the field.
Whether the post was a subtle hint or simply a nod to an old friend, Addison’s performance and McCarthy’s development will ultimately tell the story of their partnership in Minnesota.