Credible Reporter Links Vikings to Adam Thielen
On Wednesday, the rumor mill picked up some steam when Tom Pelissero reported, “With Jordan Addison suspended and multiple injuries, the #Vikings are seriously exploring veteran receivers in the trade market, per sources. All-Pro Justin Jefferson (hamstring) is on track for Week 1. His early-season running mate may not be on the roster.”
Of course, Vikings fans have long identified the potential targets, including Vikings legend Adam Thielen.
Credible Reporter Links Vikings to Adam Thielen
That same day, the franchise added some draft capital and opened cap space, perhaps in part because of the upcoming move for a new pass-catcher.
Pelissero was once again reporting, and he included Thielen’s name in his speech:
The Vikings are seriously exploring acquiring a veteran wide receiver sometime in the next several days. Justin Jefferson is finally back, this is not about him. The hamstring is healthy, he’ll be ready to go for Week 1, but Jordan Addison is suspended the first three games, Jalen Nailor is banged up with a hand injury right now. It remains to be seen who even that other starting receiver is come Week 1, that Monday Night Football game against the Bears.
There are a bunch of wide receivers who are potentially available. The Vikings have been working the phones; there are several names that it could end up being, but one of them is somebody that Vikings fans know well, Adam Thielen, in Carolina. The Panthers have not wanted to give him away, going all the way to the trade deadline last year when they got calls, but potentially, could they find a way to bring Thielen, the Minnesota-native, back home? That is one of the names to keep an eye out here.
There are plenty of options. We compiled a list of some of them on Wednesday. Pelissero wouldn’t throw the name out there if there weren’t some consideration.
Thielen was axed in the 2023 offseason, primarily because of his huge salary that didn’t match his on-field performance at that time. He then signed with the Panthers, a team that is completely rebuilding. One might wonder whether the 34-year-old (he’ll turn 35 on Friday) would like to return to relevance.
Regardless, the Panthers like the veteran as a mentor for their young receiving corps. Tetairoa McMillan was selected with a top-ten pick, joining last year’s first-rounder Xavier Legette and young but promising wideout Jalen Coker. Hunter Renfrow was signed this offseason, and he could step into Thielen’s role as a slot receiver and veteran mentor, if needed. It remains to be seen whether the Panthers would be open to a divorce.
Thielen has lost a step, but he’s still the savvy receiver with sure hands. Last year, he caught 48 passes for 615 yards and five touchdowns in only ten games. The year prior, in 2023, he logged his first season with 1,000 yards since 2018. He had 103 catches for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns in Carolina’s alarmingly bad passing offense.
The long-time Viking is due to make $6.25 million in base salary in the upcoming season. Minnesota has the cap space to figure that out, and they could also pay a little more draft capital in return to get the Panthers to pay some of that, just like the Vikings pay half of Harrison Phillips’s salary in 2025.
Kevin O’Connell’s WR room certainly needs a new addition, with only Justin Jefferson currently available. Jordan Addison is suspended, and Jalen Nailor is hurt. Do the Vikings really want to go to Soldier Field in Week 1 with Lucky Jackson as J.J. McCarthy’s second outside option?
One benefit of that potential deal is that Thielen worked out with McCarthy in each of the last two seasons, and he is familiar with the broad concept of O’Connell’s offense, although he would have to learn the updated playbook.
Last month, Thielen said about the young Vikings passer: “He’s got all the things it takes to be a successful player in this league, and kind of the things that we talked about about how I’ve gotten to year thirteen, he’s already got it. He’s got consistency, he’s got that mindset. He’s got all the skills to be able to play at a high level. So I’m really excited now, my second summer working with him, to see him get an opportunity, and to see what he does with the opportunity, because I see it.”
Minnesota’s Thielen fans can dream a little. The wideout ranks fifth in franchise receiving yards and third in receiving touchdowns.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.