Adam Thielen Reunion? Another Voice Says “Yes” for Vikings.
Often, when Minnesota Vikings fans claim the franchise should sign one of its former players, the theory is about nostalgia.
Adam Thielen Reunion? Another Voice Says “Yes” for Vikings.
But recent Adam Thielen + Vikings theories are a bit deeper than that.
Thielen plays for the Carolina Panthers and has two years left on his contract. However, the veteran wideout has worked out with Vikings rookie signal-caller J.J. McCarthy this summer and spoke highly of the youngster every step of the way — so much so that Thielen actually sounds like he’s on the Vikings’ current roster. Those dealings have led some to believe Minnesota could either trade for Thielen or sign him if Carolina cuts him loose during roster trimdowns next month.
And according to Pioneer Press‘ Charley Walters, the idea isn’t that far-fetched. “Even before Jordan Addison was arrested in Los Angeles the other day for suspicion of driving under the influence, the Minnesota Vikings were thin at wide receiver. Now, it’s a decent bet the Vikings would love to find a way to bring hometown favorite Adam Thielen back from Carolina,” Walters wrote last weekend.
Why would a Thielen exit from the Panthers even be realistic? The answer is straightforward — Carolina added two prominent receivers this offseason: Diontae Johnson from free agency and rookie Xavier Legette in Round 1 of April’s draft. Thielen served as the Panthers’ top pass-catcher in 2023, but with the arrivals of Johnson and Legette, his workload could dwindle.
“It’s not impossible, but it would be difficult. That’s because Thielen’s current team, the Panthers, last year made quarterback Bryce Young from Alabama the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft,” Walters continued. “Young, however, had a disappointing rookie season, and Carolina desperately needs him to improve. For that to happen, the Panthers need Thielen in a supporting role. Thielen is in the second season of a $25 million, three-year contract, but only $5.5 million is guaranteed for 2024.”
Carolina might be open to sending Thielen home via trade, leaning fully into a new era with Johnson and Lagette. It’s worth noting that this trade could be on the table, too, during the season if Carolina’s win-loss record stumbled out of the gate and Minnesota performed better than most expect. The NFL trade deadline is November 5th — Election Day. The trade price for Thielen, who will turn 34 in one month, would likely be a late-round draft pick.
Walters concluded, “Thielen, who turns 34 next month, is still a worthy possession receiver but doesn’t possess the speed he once had. If the Vikings were able to get him back, it would be as a third receiver in the slot, because he no longer is fast enough to play outside.”
Wide receiver Jalen Nailor has turned heads in the last week at Vikings training camp, increasing his value as the would-be WR3 in 2024. However, WR2 Jordan Addison could be facing a suspension for a California arrest earlier this month, meaning Thielen would likely be assured attention in Minnesota’s offense if a trade or free-agent signing materialized.
Star Tribune‘s Ben Goessling, too, mentioned a Thielen reunion this month. “Adam Thielen is still under contract in Carolina, but he’s been working out with J.J. McCarthy. And if he ends up getting cut in Carolina, I guess I wouldn’t be stunned by that. I mean, it certainly would make some sense for him to come back,” Goessling said on KFAN. “And I think [the Vikings would] have some interest in that if that ever were to come up. I think the relationship is such that maybe if that would come up, that could be an option for him at some point.”
While Thielen’s return home is nowhere near ironclad, his addition to the Vikings’ roster sometime late this summer or before the NFL’s trade deadline wouldn’t be weird at all.
It would also mean that Thielen could finish his career in Minnesota, which would seem fitting.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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