The Minnesota Vikings are separating from a notable player for a subsequent occasion. The organization discharged experienced wide receiver Adam Thielen on Monday upon his solicitation, allowing the 35-year-old to complete his vocation with another organization.
Thielen and the Vikings affirmed the news with posts via web-based media Monday. The group expressed that Thielen moved toward it about completing his NFL vocation in a serious circumstance. The Vikings chose to allow that desire.
Thielen affirmed as much, saying this will be his last season in the NFL, and he needed to contend over the last weeks of his vocation.
While Thielen didn’t unequivocally say it, it’s quite certain the veteran is trusting for a Super Bowl run before he hangs up his cleats. That wasn’t going to come with the Vikings. After almost winning the NFC North last year, the Vikings find themselves at 4-8 this season because of problematic quarterback execution, among different issues. With the playoffs basically impossible for the Vikings, Thielen will want to interface up with a group still in the chase.
The 35-year-old hasn’t been very associated with the Vikings’ offense this season. Through 11 games, Thielen has just eight gets for 69 yards. He probably wouldn’t begin on a more serious group, yet could give strong profundity as the playoffs rapidly approach.
Regardless of whether he can get on with another club relies upon how the remainder of the NFL sees Thielen at this point in his vocation. During his prime, he was a dependable, target commander with a skill for getting open in the end zone.
From 2016-2022, Thielen averaged nearly 1,000 yards and 7.7 touchdowns per season with the Vikings. He made two Pro Bowls over that period, earning a second team All-Pro gesture in 2017. Though his yardage totals dropped at the back end of that stretch, Thielen made up for it with his end-zone predominance. He caught 14 touchdowns in 15 games in 2020 and 10 in 2021 in spite of just playing in 13 games.
Following the 2022 NFL season, Thielen joined the Carolina Panthers on a three-year deal. He acquired over 1,000 receiving yards in his first season with team.
After a down year in 2024, the Panthers agreed to trade Thielen back to the Vikings in a draft-pick swap. He hasn’t emerged as a major choice back in Minnesota, though the team does have both Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison on its depth chart, making it hard for Thielen to make a huge effect.
If contending NFL teams still believe Thielen has something left, he could still satisfy his fantasy of contending for a title before his career is over. If not, there’s always the possibility a late injury opens the door for Thielen to get one more shot at a Super Bowl win.
