Adam Thielen + Vikings Theories Gain New Legs
For about a month, former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen has walked and talked like an active member of the purple team.
Adam Thielen + Vikings Theories Gain New Legs
He’s worked out with Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy a couple of times and joined KFAN to sing the youngster’s praises. Of course, the hubbub has led some fans to believe a reunion could be on the way, even if Thielen is under contract in Carolina for two more seasons.
Well, Thielen-to-Minnesota advocates received a bit of a boost last week, thanks to Star Tribune‘s Ben Goessling, who joined KFAN to chat about Thielen, among other topics. “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.
Why would a Thielen exit from the Panthers be a topic? Simple — Carolina added two prominent receivers this offseason: Diontae Johnson from free agency and rookie Xavier Legette from 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 hit the back burner.
Goessling added, “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.”
Perhaps Carolina would 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.
There’s also a roster cut angle. Carolina could decide to pursue youth on offense and release Thielen in late August when roster trimdowns occur. The Panthers would eat around $10 million in dead cap, but stranger things have happened.
And if the trade and roster-cut theories don’t materialize, there’s always next offseason when Carolina could move on from Thielen for mere peanuts in dead cap.
When Minnesota cut ties with Thielen in 2023, his cap hit was ginormous, and the Vikings pursued an alternative WR2 in Jordan Addison. Adding Thielen to the roster would involve a WR3 assignment, which he could reasonably fill.
Thielen to the Vikings really isn’t that outlandish.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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