The Grades For the Adam Thielen Trade Are in
The Minnesota Vikings got it done after a few days of speculation. Ironically, they managed to complete it a day after it seemed impossible. Adam Thielen is back on the Vikings’ roster for the first time since the 2023 offseason, when the decision-makers understandably (but sadly) opted to preserve cap space over keeping an aging veteran.
The Grades For the Adam Thielen Trade Are in
GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah gave up a 2026 fifth-rounder and a 2027 fourth-rounder and received Adam Thielen, a 2027 fifth-rounder, and a conditional 2026 seventh-rounder. If Thielen misses too much time, that would become a sixth.
Initial reactions were mainly joyful because the lost son returned, but some were skeptical about the trade compensation. So let’s check with some national analysts.
Jeff Kerr, CBS Sports
Kerr gave the purple side of the deal a B+. He noted, “This is a move that certainly deserves a pat on the back for the Vikings. Not only are they reuniting with one of the best route runners of this era, but the Vikings are making sure they have a No. 2 wideout in place while Jordan Addison serves his three-game suspension.”
Indeed, Addison’s suspension was a major reason why the Vikings dipped into the trade market for a new pass-catcher. Jalen Nailor’s status for Week 1 is uncertain with a hand injury, and Rondale Moore is on IR with a season-ending knee injury. Another player with sure hands was needed. His leadership adds value to his football skills. In the last two years, he mentored Bryce Young in Carolina.
“Parting ways with a 2026 fifth-round pick and 2027 fourth-round pick was costly, but necessary to make sure their quarterback has enough wide receivers on the outside to start the season. The Vikings are giving McCarthy everything he needs to develop into a good quarterback. This is up to McCarthy to take advantage of the pass catchers at his disposal,” Kerr concluded.
Kristopher Knox, Bleacher Report
Mr. Knox offered an A.
He suggested, “The deal brings Thielen back to Minnesota, where he spent the first nine years of his career. It was a logical move because the Vikings won’t have No. 2 receiver Jordan Addison for the first three games of the season due to a suspension. Thielen should quickly mesh with head coach Kevin O’Connell, who joined the franchise in the receiver’s final season before joining Carolina.”
On the other hand, the Panthers received a C+ because he was such an essential player in Young’s development, both on and off the field.
Jeff Howe, The Athletic
Minnesota earned an A-.
Howe wrote: “The Vikings don’t have any time to mess around while integrating McCarthy. They should again have a strong defense, but they need the offense to pull its weight around the 2024 first-round pick. Thielen will be a valuable leader with Justin Jefferson, and they can take some of that responsibility off McCarthy’s shoulders. By the time Addison returns, Thielen could become one of the most important No. 3 receivers in the league.”
Bottom Line
The deal is viewed positively in the media universe. It might be a little harsh at first to see a fourth-rounder included, but with the fifth-rounder coming the other way and the expectations the Vikings have, that could very well be a 20- or 30-slot slide in the 2027 draft.
Thielen returned for the equivalent of a fourth- or fifth-rounder, depending on the chart, and that doesn’t include the fact that the Vikings’ picks are expected to be slotted towards the end of a round, and who knows how the Panthers will evolve in the next two seasons.
The Vikings needed a receiver to support McCarthy, and they got one who was still productive in the last two seasons, already knows McCarthy from offseason workouts, and is, of course, a franchise legend.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.