Adam Thielen Talks About Retirement

Jan 15, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) is unable to catch a pass while defended by New York Giants cornerback Fabian Moreau (37) during the fourth quarter during a wild card game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

It was quite the journey for Adam Thielen, a childhood Vikings fan from Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Now, at the age of 34, he is one of the oldest receivers in the NFL, and his career and his career will come to an end in the near future. The good news for Thielen fans is that he isn’t planning on retiring in the 2025 offseason.

Adam Thielen Talks About Retirement

adam thielen
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

His dream of becoming a part of Minnesota’s franchise history came true in 2013 despite going undrafted. Famously, Thielen paid for attending the regional combine and later landed a rookie tryout with the Vikings. It’s quite rare for a player with that kind of history to qualify for the 53-man roster.

The story only got better when he suddenly developed into one of the league’s best players who was competing with the statistical milestones of his childhood heroes, Randy Moss and Cris Carter.

Unfortunately, Thielen’s chapter with the Vikings ended following the 2022 season when the club released him. Reports about him declining a pay cut exist, and his salary for his age-33 season was quite significant.

He then signed a three-year deal with the Carolina Panthers, where he experienced a pair of underwhelming seasons with a 7-27 record.

Sep 18, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) runs on to the field before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Thielen told the Daily Mail that he was thinking about retirement after his second season in the NFC South, saying he has “more football in me.”

“I definitely needed those two weeks to just get my energy back and spend quality family time, get away,” Thielen disclosed to the Daily Mail. “Yeah, I think I still have some more football in me. We’ll see how that plays out in the next few weeks.”

In the last two seasons, Thielen recorded 151 receptions for 1,629 yards and nine touchdowns in a Panthers uniform. He is coming off an injury-riddled 2024 campaign in which he missed seven games, resulting in only 615 yards.

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers
Oct 1, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) (left) and Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn (17) (right) after the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Despite still being a reliable target when he is on the field, the wideout is aware that his time in the league will end soon.

“I think there’s probably more times now that you’re like, ‘Alright, there’s probably not much more. So you know, there’s an end in sight, but when exactly that will be is kind of a year-to-year thing.”

After his rookie tryout in 2013, he failed to make the 53-man roster but remained on the practice squad. His special team prowess earned him a spot in 2014, and he appeared in all 16 games in 2014 and 2015. Thielen had 137 and 144 yards in those years.

His breakthrough happened in 2016 with 967 yards and five touchdowns. He then turned into a star with seasons of 1,276 and 1,373 yards in the following two campaigns. In 2018, he tied Calvin Johnson’s NFL record for the most consecutive 100-yard games.

2023 Thielen
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.

His yard numbers dipped in the next seasons, but he evolved into one of the premier red-zone threats late in his Vikings tenure, recording 14 and 10 receiving touchdowns in 2020 and 2021. His final season with the Vikings resulted in him gaining 716 yards and six touchdowns under Kevin O’Connell’s watch.

In his time with the purple team, Thielen formed two dynamic duos, one with Stefon Diggs and the other one with Justin Jefferson. He caught passes from numerous quarterbacks in his career and emphasized that mentoring younger players is part of why he is coming back for another season with the Panthers.

“I think that’s what’s enticed me to want to play again is just the progression, the leadership, the type of things that they’re doing to try to create a winning culture. I really believe in what they’re doing. So there’s a lot to look forward to, especially with (Young) and his progression. And then, you know, just being able to add some pieces and see what happens.”

In Carolina, he has caught passes from former first-overall pick Bryce Young and veteran backup Andy Dalton. Young showed some promise in his sophomore season.

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

Thielen will turn 35 in August. He is due to get a $1.5 million roster bonus in March. If the Panthers wanted to say goodbye, that would happen ahead of free agency.

The hometown hero lived his dream with the Vikings. He ranks third in franchise history with 534 catches, fifth in receiving yards, and third in receiving touchdowns.

Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this article.


Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt