Adam Thielen Takes One for the Team
A stand-off of sorts existed before Friday, as the Minnesota Vikings waited on restructured contracts by veteran players — or trades — to occur before clearing the cap space needed to sign more free agents.
Earlier in the week, the Vikings converted Harrison Smith’s roster bonus to a signing bonus, relieving some salary cap pressure. And most believed more moves would but follow. Yet, for a little over a day — as free agents signed elsewhere — no more news broke about veteran contractual renegotiation.
But that news did break on Friday as Adam Thielen restructured his contract.
To be clear, Thielen “helping the Vikings out” is the willingness to move money around — not take a Tom Brady-like pay cut. And as the Danielle Hunter contract matter continues to vacillate, reworked deals like Thielen’s or Smith’s become more noteworthy.
For 2022 cap relief, Thielen’s restructure should save the Vikings about $5 million. The announcement by Thielen is also notable as he was plopped in the trade rumor mill by CBS Sports last week. Thielen reworking the deal substantially reduces the possibility of a trade.
The Vikings need cap space because glaring roster craters are evident. The organization has one startable cornerback — although plenty are available on the free-agent market — an EDGE rusher, and some interior offensive linemen. Otherwise, if the Vikings did nothing via contract renegotiation or trade, the NFL draft would be the last resort for filling out the 2022 depth chart — which isn’t ideal for a team hoping to contend for a Super Bowl.
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When Thielen rose to stardom in 2015, he carried a prowess for gaining yards through the air while scoring relatively few touchdowns. But with the arrival of Kirk Cousins, the attributes flipped. Since the start of 2019, Thielen ranks 41st in the NFL for receiving yards but fourth in receiving touchdowns, quite the production shift from 2014-2018.
Thielen’s “new” contract reportedly involves $18 million guaranteed, plus a raise to $14.4 million this year. A void year was added to the end of the deal, enhancing the Vikings ability to clear cap space this offseason.
Overall, it’s Thielen’s willingness to work with the team via moving money around that is significant — especially when the tactic isn’t necessarily working with Danielle Hunter.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. His YouTube Channel, VikesNow, debuts in March 2022. 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).
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