Adam Thielen Says Goodbye
The Minnesota Vikings played one of the worst games you’ll ever see on Sunday. Despite an excellent defense that day, the Vikings lost by 26 points, as the offense once again couldn’t complete the simplest tasks and completely collapsed under undrafted rookie Max Brosmer’s guidance.
Adam Thielen Says Goodbye
Before the game, the Vikings announced that Adam Thielen would join the injured starters Theo Jackson, Christian Darrisaw, and Donovan Jackson on the sidelines. He was a healthy scratch.
Less than 24 hours later, the Vikings officially say goodbye to their franchise legend. He’s been waived.
The Vikings released the following statement: “Adam’s representation recently approached the team and asked if we would be willing to release Adam, expressing his desire to play a bigger role in the remaining weeks of what he has indicated will be his final NFL season. Following discussions this weekend and out of respect for Adam, we have agreed to give him the opportunity to pursue more playing time elsewhere. Adam is one of the all-time great Vikings, and we wish him and his family continued success.”
Thielen was acquired via trade between the preseason and the regular season. The Vikings brought him home to complete what they thought was a competing roster. Twelve games later, the organization is 4-8, and the playoffs are unrealistic.
Thielen’s role with the Vikings just hasn’t been as envisioned. He was stuck behind the high-flying trio of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jalen Nailor as the fourth guy on the depth chart. The 35-year-old has caught eight passes for 69 yards, and he hasn’t found the endzone this season.
Thielen is in the final weeks of his NFL career. Sadly, he’ll spend those elsewhere. He also released a statement:
“This is tremendously difficult for me to write and certainly not how any of us imagined this to go. As a Minnesota native, putting on this uniform over the years and representing this community both on and off the field has always meant that much more to me. This team is in my bones, it’s in my heart and it’s part of my DNA. I will ALWAYS be a Minnesota Viking.”
The receiver originally signed with the Vikings in 2013, and after a year on the practice squad, he emerged as a special teams demon. A few years later, Thielen became one of the league’s top wideouts for his hometown team. After the 2022 season, the Vikings released him, and he spent the past two campaigns with the Carolina Panthers. The trade in the summer brought him home for about three months.
“Since this past Spring, I knew this was going to be my last season playing in the National Football League,” Thielen added. “Given that, the Vikings allowed me the opportunity to go compete elsewhere for the last few weeks of my career. Minnesota will always be our home and we are incredibly grateful to the Wilf family, Kwesi, KO, Rob and everyone in the Vikings organization for bringing us back in August. This organization means the world to us from the top down and this locker room is filled with true professionals. With gratitude and love and I’ll be back to retire!”
The Vikings aren’t playing for anything in the remaining weeks. Thielen hopes to find work elsewhere to chase the Super Bowl for a final time.
The hometown kid played in 146 games with the Vikings, catching 542 passes for 6,751 yards and 55 touchdowns. He still ranks third in franchise history in receiving touchdowns.
Perhaps he can provide Vikings fans with a rooting interest in the playoffs.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.