Adam Thielen’s Wife Hints at a Potential End to Their Time in Minnesota

Dec 26, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) in action against the Los Angeles Rams at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings are going to have a very busy offseason that likely includes letting go of some of the team’s most beloved veteran players. One such player that could be a victim to this reality is WR Adam Thielen. Following the Vikings loss, Thielen’s wife, Caitlyn, hinted at this reality in an Instagram post, saying:

And just like that the season and our time in Minnesota might be at an end. Super proud of your attitude this season and always fighting.

Thielen had his worst season since becoming a full-time starter at wide receiver for the Vikings in 2017. His 716 yards and 10.2 yards/reception were the lowest of any season where he played 11 or more games. The six touchdowns that he scored also is a large drop off from the 14 in 2020 and 10 in 2021.

Oct 30, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) catches a pass against the Arizona Cardinals in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The nine-year veteran also carries a whopping $19.9 million into the 2023 season. By cutting him, the Vikings could save about $6.4 million against the cap. They currently sit just over $8 million over the projected salary cap, so this move alone could bring them almost all the way back to even.

Of course, Thielen’s wife likely isn’t suggesting that they want to leave Minnesota, or that they are unhappy here. It’s simply a recognition of the fact that the NFL is, first and foremost, a business. Thielen’s production in 2022 doesn’t validate carrying nearly $20 million against the cap going into his age-33 season.

Adam Thielen's Wife Hints at Potential End to Their Time in Minnesota
Nov 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8), wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18), and wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) celebrate the win against the New England Patriots after the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

This is just one of many different directions that the Vikings could go in throughout the offseason to create cap space. They will likely have more moves to make on the defensive side of the ball as well. However, this is just the first of many situations where long-time Vikings may see the writing on the wall regarding their futures with the team.

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. He also earned minors in History, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys marathon training, playing video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For more of his opinions, check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.

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