No More Adam Thielen the Rest of the Way
If the Minnesota Vikings find a way to reach the postseason, they’ll conduct January business without wide receiver Adam Thielen.
The Vikings are 7-8 with 11% odds to reach the postseason, so the decision was made by Thielen and the Vikings to shut down the Minnesota State alumnus for the rest of 2021, tending to his injured ankle.
Depending on how fundamentally the franchise changes in the 2022 offseason, this, in theory, could be a wrap for Thielen’s career in Minnesota. Thielen’s cap hit in 2022 is about $17 million, and the pass-catcher has regrettably failed to accrue 1,000 yards in a season since 2018. And that’s a long time inside a pass-happy era of football.
Thankfully, as Thielen’s yardage production dipped each season since the start of 2019, his acumen for hauling in touchdowns spiked. In the last three seasons, Thielen’s 30 touchdown receptions rank fourth-best in the NFL behind Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, and Mke Evans. Plus, he’s missed 21% of all Vikings games since 2019, making the stat even more impressive.
Next, the Vikings begin life without Thielen at Lambeau Field on Sunday night. The game will be frigid with high stakes for both teams to boot. Green Bay wants homefield advantage — the Vikings want to wiggle into the playoffs.
The Vikings offense has sputtered without Thielen in recent weeks. Kirk Cousins and Co. will need to remedy that if they hope to stun the Packers for the third straight time.
The Packers are favored by 6.5 to beat the Vikings. The point spread could increase a smidgen with the Thielen news.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).