Everything We Know about the Adam Thielen Saga

Minnesota State WR
Jan 1, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Adam Thielen has grown to become one of the more beloved Minnesota Vikings players in recent years. His story of going from an undrafted free agent out of Minnesota State-Mankato to becoming a Pro Bowler with his hometown Vikings is one of the greatest underdog stories you’ll ever hear.

However, this offseason’s Adam Thielen saga could end with him either retiring or playing in a different uniform in 2023. Here is everything we know about Thielen’s situation with the Vikings heading into the offseason.

Contract

A Look at the Bills in Week 10
Oct 2, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

The biggest reason for any sort of saga regarding Thielen is his contract. The veteran wide receiver is set to carry a cap hit of $19,967,647 in 2023, an extremely high amount for a player that put up just 716 receiving yards and 6 TDs during the 2022 season.

With the Vikings needing to free up over $23 million in salary cap space this offseason prior to free agency, Thielen is one of the contracts that could be on the chopping block for Minnesota. The Vikings save $6.4 million in salary cap if they cut him prior to June 1st.

Desire to Remain a Viking

Jul 29, 2022; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) speaks to the press after training camp at US Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Adam Thielen went on ESPN’s First Take during Super Bowl week and reiterated that he wanted to retire as a Minnesota Viking. However, he also expressed a desire to help a team and play at a high level saying,

“I want to be able to help a team and show I can play at a high level to help them win. Will that be in Minnesota? I don’t know, I hope so. I hope to retire a Minnesota Viking. Will that happen? I don’t know. This is also a business.”

While Thielen desires to remain in Minnesota, it doesn’t appear that he is ruling out the possibility of playing elsewhere in 2023. Perhaps he is reading between the lines by keeping his options open.

Caitlin Thielen’s Social Media

Adam Thielen
Dec 20, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) celebrates his touchdown in the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

In the immediate aftermath of the 2022 NFL season, it was Adam Thielen’s wife, Caitlin, making headlines in Minnesota media for her social media posts. Following the Vikings Wild Card loss to the Giants, she posted a picture on Instagram that included “And just like that, the season and our time in Minnesota might be at an end.”

It’s a very simple post, but even in mid-January, it seemed that the Thielens had an idea that they may be moving somewhere else in 2023.

Prediction for 2023

Nov 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) makes a touchdown reception against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

In the end, it simply makes more sense for the two parties to part ways in 2023 as unfortunate as that is. Thielen has expressed a desire on multiple occasions to prove that he can still be a contributing factor to a team next season, but given the Vikings cap situation and his role in 2022, that just doesn’t seem plausible. I would expect Minnesota to move on from Thielen in the coming weeks.

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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