Adam Thielen’s Departure Didn’t Get Easier
It’s truly the end of an era for the Minnesota Vikings. On Friday morning, it was announced that Adam Thielen would be released heading into the 2023 NFL season. While that was always an expected outcome, it certainly doesn’t make things any easier.
With the Minnesota Vikings heading into the offseason well over the salary cap, there would always be tough decisions ahead. Eric Kendricks was the first of the veteran guard to be jettisoned, and now Adam Thielen follows quickly in his footsteps.
The move is not a surprising one. Watching Thielen play for Minnesota last year, it was evident that the Vikings lacked a true number two threat alongside superstar Justin Jefferson. Thielen was not the same dynamic playmaker that had earned him a rise from being an undrafted special teams contributor. Thielen was never a burner, and he thrived through an ability to run crisp routes and utilize strong hands when targeted in the passing game. Losing even a little bit of speed, teams were able to effectively take him out of the gameplan.
Thielen’s story may never stop hitting home for Vikings fans. A last-minute offer sent him to Minnesota State Mankato, and from there, he turned heads. Drawing a tryout from the hometown team, Thielen was signed as an undrafted free agent and elevated his performance to being named a 2nd-Team All-Pro in 2017.
Adam Thielen’s Departure Didn’t Get Easier
Turning the page on his time with Minnesota, Thielen leaves with a pair of Pro Bowl appearances under his belt. He recorded 55 touchdowns through the air and another on the ground. He racked up over 6,600 yards and easily associated himself as among the best stories across the entire NFL.
In making the tough roster decision, Minnesota avoids a cap hit of nearly $20 million. There was just no way for Thielen to be rostered at his current number, and expecting some sort of reworked deal looked to be a divide far too wide. Where he ends up, and on what sort of deal, should reveal a good deal about contract negotiations.
When his career is finally over, there is no reason that Thielen shouldn’t find himself included in the Vikings Ring of Honor. He was truly a story of hard work, and the production helped to push up some of the best Minnesota teams we have ever seen.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how expected this move may have been. Sure, it was probably necessary. That doesn’t change the reality that seeing Thielen go hurts. What he, Caitlin, and his family have done with and for Minnesota will not be easily overcome or forgotten.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.
You must be logged in to post a comment.