Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison is again under scrutiny after a January 12, 2026 arrest at a Tampa casino. The 23-year-old was taken into custody at 3:46 a.m. at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for allegedly refusing to leave a restaurant, an incident later dismissed by prosecutors.
While the charge did not stick, it arrived at a delicate moment for both player and team. Addison is approaching a pivotal contract decision, and his growing off-field résumé is complicating Minnesota’s long-term plans. Here’s what’s happening as the clock ticks toward a critical deadline.
A Growing Record of Legal Trouble
Addison’s Tampa arrest marked his third encounter with law enforcement in roughly 2.5 years, forming a pattern the Vikings cannot ignore. In July 2023, he was cited for driving 140 mph in a 55 mph zone on a Minnesota freeway, resulting in a $686 fine. The following July, he was arrested on suspicion of DUI in Los Angeles after police found him asleep behind the wheel near LAX.
Although the latest trespassing charge was dismissed, it still adds to a timeline of incidents that have followed Addison since entering the league. For a former first-round pick expected to anchor the offense for years, repeated legal distractions raise concerns about reliability, judgment, and long-term risk. Those concerns now intersect directly with major roster and financial decisions looming for Minnesota.
The DUI That Changed the Stakes
The most consequential episode came in July 2024, when Addison’s DUI arrest in Los Angeles triggered both legal and league discipline. He ultimately pleaded no contest to a reduced “wet reckless” charge, received 12 months of probation, and paid a $390 fine. The legal outcome was only part of the fallout.
Under the NFL’s substance abuse policy, Addison was suspended for the first 3 games of the 2025 season. That absence cost him early-season production and reinforced internal concerns about accountability. More importantly, it shifted how the organization evaluated his dependability off the field, a factor that weighs heavily when teams consider guaranteed money and long-term commitments.
The Tampa Casino Incident Explained
The most recent arrest unfolded in the early hours of January 12, 2026. At approximately 3:42 a.m., casino security at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa asked Addison to leave the Noodle Bar restaurant multiple times. When he refused, Seminole Indian Police were called to the scene.
According to the report, officers had to redirect Addison toward the exit several times before placing him under arrest for first-degree misdemeanor trespassing. He posted a $500 bond and was released later that day. While the situation did not escalate beyond a brief detention, it quickly became public and added another chapter to Addison’s off-field narrative.
Charges Dismissed but Questions Remain
On January 20, just 8 days after the arrest, Florida state attorney Susan Lopez dropped the trespassing charge. A “Notice of Termination of Prosecution” was filed in Hillsborough County court, and Addison’s $500 bond was ordered released. His attorney, Brian Pakett, welcomed the decision, saying Addison “did nothing legally wrong” and that his name had been “dragged through the mud.”
Despite the dismissal, the incident continues to carry weight. Addison’s agent, Tim Younger, confirmed the legal team is exploring a civil lawsuit for false arrest. From a football perspective, however, even resolved cases factor into how teams assess risk, particularly when guaranteed salaries and option years are on the table.
Production Slides as Decisions Loom
As the legal issues mounted, Addison’s on-field production has trended downward. Over 46 games with Minnesota, he has totaled 175 receptions for 2,396 yards and 22 touchdowns. His rookie season in 2023 was the high point, with 70 catches for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Those numbers slipped to 63 receptions, 875 yards, and 9 touchdowns in 2024. In 2025, limited by suspension and inconsistency, Addison finished with just 42 catches on 79 targets for 610 yards and 3 touchdowns in 14 games. The decline complicates evaluations of whether his future value justifies a major financial commitment.
A Franchise-Defining Choice Ahead
Addison is entering the final year of his 4-year, $13.7 million rookie contract after being drafted 23rd overall in 2023. Minnesota must decide by May 1 whether to exercise his fifth-year option, which would guarantee $17.5 million for the 2027 season under the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement. That decision now carries cultural and financial implications.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah summarized the internal tension, saying, “Jordan is unique because 99% of the days that Jordan Addison is a Viking, he’s a joy to be around,” adding, “Obviously, that’s something we have to consider when you’re talking about long-term ramifications.” With receiver depth also a concern as Jalen Nailor approaches free agency, the Vikings face a defining call. The choice will signal how Minnesota balances talent, accountability, and risk in shaping its future.
Sources:
State drops trespassing charge against Vikings’ Jordan Addison. ESPN, January 20, 2026.
Trespassing charge against ex-USC star Jordan Addison dropped. Los Angeles Times, January 20, 2026.
Trespassing charge against Vikings WR Jordan Addison dropped. The New York Times (The Athletic), January 20, 2026.
Jordan Addison timeline of trouble, from DUI suspension to latest arrest. Yahoo Sports, January 13, 2026.
Vikings’ Jordan Addison pleads to lesser charge in DUI case. ESPN, July 17, 2025.|Jordan Addison suspended for first 3 games of season following 2024 DUI. KSTP, August 5, 2025.
Weighing fifth-year options for 2023 NFL Draft’s first-round selections. NFL.com, January 7, 2026.