Will Adam Thielen Take a Pay Cut?
Ted Schwerzler
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I’d assume the short answer is no, and the longer answer may be heck no. Either way, the Minnesota Vikings will soon be at a crossroads with Adam Thielen. It was tough watching Thielen play against the New York Giants knowing it may be his last game in purple, but here we are.
One of the most important areas of business for the Vikings is to sort out the situation with their #2 wide receiver. Justin Jefferson has emerged as among the best wideouts in the league. Although Adam Thielen once resided in that category, his skillset is no longer there as he’s aged.
Last season brought some statistical lows for the hometown hero. He only brought in 716 yards. Thielen consistently lined up alongside Jefferson in 2022, but it was clear that separation wasn’t there.
Kevin O’Connell was brought in as head coach in order to run a more offensive-minded team. He did well with the skill position players Minnesota offered him, but moving on from both Thielen and Dalvin Cook could change things considerably in Year 2. As it stands, Thielen would bring on more than a $19 million cap hit in 2023; for a team with very little room, that may not be a number they can afford to carry.
For weeks since the season ended, it has felt like this would be it. Thielen’s wife, Caitlin, has made multiple posts on social media that seemed to suggest being at peace with the end. Thielen himself has seemed to know there isn’t room for him in Minnesota at this juncture.
It will be weird for fans – and Thielen – to wear a jersey that isn’t purple. He has been wearing some iteration of purple and yellow since college. Unless he goes to the Baltimore Ravens, it’s going to be decidedly different during the year ahead.
Minnesota may have interest in keeping Thielen at a more tenable cap number, but taking a pay cut could be a tough pill to swallow. No matter where he plays in 2023, Thielen likely won’t be making the big bucks. He could be looking for an opportunity to again showcase his abilities outside of Jefferson’s shadow.
No matter what happens in this saga, the hope would be that Minnesota does right by Thielen and provides a quick resolution. Allowing the negotiations to draw out or become publicly divisive wouldn’t be good for anyone involved. When his career ultimately does end, it would also be great to see the Vikings franchise invite him back as a member of their Ring of Honor. Few undrafted players rise to the ranks Thielen has, and even less get to do so for their hometown team.
It’s been an incredibly fun ride for fans – I’m sure for Thielen, as well – but it seems this is where it ends.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.