There’s an Adam Thielen Verdict
Adam Thielen’s story is the modern-day fairy tale of a little kid growing up a Vikings fan, adoring the legendary receivers Randy Moss and Cris Carter. A few years later, he suddenly chases their numbers in the franchise’s record books on an improbable NFL journey that started as a try-out player for his hometown team.
There’s an Adam Thielen Verdict
After the 2022 season, the Vikings decided to part ways with their longtime receiver.
He entered his first free-agency journey in 2023 and signed with the Carolina Panthers, a franchise in a true rebuilding mode.
In his first season there, he tabulated a whopping 103 catches for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns, playing in all 17 games. He was by far the most reliable receiver on a two-win Panthers squad. Year two included some injury struggles and only ten games for the wideout in which he produced 48 receptions, 615 yards, and five scores.
Thielen initially signed a three-year deal worth $25 million. But there were some rumblings about a possible retirement.
On Wednesday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported, “Adam Thielen is set to return for a 12th NFL season, finalizing a revised contract with the Panthers, per sources. Thielen looks to add to his 8,311 yards and 64 touchdowns.”
A “revised contract” often means the player took a pay cut, but not this time.
The Athletic’s Joe Person noted, “Can confirm Panthers are reworking Adam Thielen’s contract, as @JFowlerESPN said. The Panthers plan to give him a pay bump. Thielen was set to make $6.75 million this year, including a $1.5M roster bonus that hits Saturday.”
A raise at the age of 34 (he will turn 35 in August) is rare. Perhaps the Panthers wanted to give him some flowers because he had to spend the last two seasons in a horrendous situation. Carolina went 7-27 in those two campaigns.
In this offseason, the NFC South franchise had a ton of cap space and had the ability to be buyers in free agency. That, combined with the late-season promise they showed in 2024, and they might be sneaky good in the upcoming season.
One can only hope that that will be the case for a future Vikings Ring of Honor inductee.
Thielen joined the club in 2013 after competing in a rookie tryout. He didn’t survive the roster cuts but showed enough promise to earn a spot on the practice squad. In the first year under Mike Zimmer in 2014, the Vikings kept him on the 53-man roster as a depth receiver and special teamer.
His breakout campaign followed in 2016 when he registered 967 yards and five touchdowns. His best year came in 2018. Thielen tied the NFL record for the most consecutive 100-yard games and collected 1,373 yards and nine touchdowns.
Throughout his Vikings career, Thielen caught 534 passes for 6,682 yards and 55 touchdowns. The receptions and touchdowns rank him third in franchise history, only trailing his two heroes, Carter and Moss.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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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