Beloved Former Viking Is Suddenly on a Tear
Following the 2022 NFL season, the Minnesota Vikings opted to part ways with one of the team’s most beloved players.
That player is, of course, WR Adam Thielen, who spent the first nine seasons of his career in Minnesota after signing with the team following his collegiate career at Minnesota State University in Mankato.
That led Thielen to signing a new contract with the Carolina Panthers last spring, and while the 2024 season hasn’t exactly been an ultra successful one for the Panthers, Thielen is suddenly on a tear heading down the stretch of the campaign.
Beloved Former Viking Is Suddenly on a Tear
The 2024 season has not always gone according to plan for Thielen. The 34-year-old wide receiver was placed on IR in September, and he missed seven games as a result of a hamstring injury.
The Panthers attempted to bring him back to the roster in October, designating him for a return from IR, but ultimately, he was not ready to return and spent about another month on the shelf.
However, since returning to the field, Thielen has been on an absolute heater for the Panthers, recording 20 receptions for 258 yards and a touchdown in the three games since being taken off IR. He has recorded 8+ receptions in each of the past two games.
Even more impressive, these performances have come against tough competition in the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Philadelphia Eagles.
PFF has been equally impressed with Thielen’s performances, giving him grades of 63.9, 72.5, and 88.2 over the past three weeks.
These games have come seemingly out of nowhere for Thielen as well considering how he started the season. In his three games prior to his injury, Thielen recorded just eight receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown. He did not record more than three receptions or 49 yards in a single game during that stretch.
So what has changed? Well, the big difference maker may be the play of Bryce Young in recent weeks. The 2023 first overall pick got off to a putrid start this season, resulting in a midseason benching. However, the past month has shown a ton of growth from the young QB.
Over his past four games, Young has thrown for 878 yards, four touchdowns, and just one interception. He’s also added 96 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown during that time. Stretch that pace out over 17 games, and you get a respectable stat line of about 3750 passing yards, 17 TDs, and about four interceptions.
Ultimately, it has been a very impressive stretch for Thielen in recent weeks. It obviously won’t result in a playoff berth for the 3-10 Panthers, but it is hard not to root for the Minnesota native as he tries to put the finishing touches on a very impressive career.
The Carolina Panthers and Thielen will play host to the floundering Dallas Cowboys this weekend, giving Thielen another chance to put together a gaudy stat line.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Focus and Pro Football Reference.
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