The Top Landing Spots for Adam Thielen
Adam Thielen requested his release from the Minnesota Vikings last week, and after a Week 13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in which Thielen did not play, the franchise granted his request.
The Minnesota Vikings waived Adam Thielen per his request on Monday, and based on the lay of the land in the NFL, here’s where the veteran might end up.
Thielen will now hit waivers, probably clearing them, and presumably finish his career with a playoff or Super Bowl-contending team.
Here’s where Thielen might land, with the destinations ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = Thielen’s top landing spot).
Where Adam Thielen Might Go Next
A shortlist for Thielen.
6. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are in a rut right now — similar to their downward spiral at the end of 2023 before rebounding to win a Super Bowl in 2024 — but still have time to right the ship. Philadelphia showcases a wide receiving trio of A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Jahan Dotson. Thielen might nestle in comfortably as the WR4.
Philadelphia is at the bottom of Thielen’s list of destination likelihoods, but there’s still a path. Foremost, general manager Howie Roseman, above all general managers in the NFL, loves to take flyers on talented players just because.
Second, the Eagles’ passing game coordinator is Parks Frazier, who held the same job with the Carolina Panthers in 2023 when Thielen worked there. There’s a connection.
5. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers employ Ladd McConkey, Quention Johnston, Keenan Allen, Tre’ Harris, Derius Davis, and KeAndrew Lambert-Smith. Per depth, Los Angeles needs no extra wide receivers.
But if one assumes that a Chargers wideout falls injured and Thielen is not immediately signed from the free-agent wire, there’s a path to Tinseltown for the 35-year-old. Chargers current assistant head coach George Stewart worked as the Vikings’ wide receiver coach during Thielen’s first four seasons in the NFL.
4. Denver Broncos
Denver’s general manager is George Paton, who served as the Vikings’ assistant general manager under Rick Spielman when Thielen made his way to the NFL. Perhaps more than any connection on the list, outside of the entire Panthers organization, Paton knows Thielen.
The Broncos also don’t have a true superstar wide receiver; instead, they spread targets around players like Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, and Pat Bryant. Thielen would look good in Denver as the WR4 — a Broncos club that has a 10-2 record, the No. 1 seed in the AFC at the moment, and has Super Bowl dreams.
3. Seattle Seahawks
The team that embarrassed Minnesota on Sunday, yes, Thielen could find his way to Seattle.
The Seahawks’ offensive coordinator is Klint Kubiak, and he has ties to Thielen from his days as Minnesota’s offensive coordinator under Mike Zimmer. Kubiak also employs a handful of former Vikings assistants on his offensive staff who know and have worked with Thielen.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, Cooper Kupp, and Adam Thielen would have a nice ring to them when Seattle inevitably visits the playoffs.
2. New England Patriots
The reunion: Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen.
Diggs is the Patriots’ WR1, and aside from him, New England tosses several decent wide receivers onto the field on Sundays. Thielen would not have a difficult time accruing passing game targets amid wideouts like Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, and Demario Davis.
This might be the perfect spot for Thielen.
Patriots passing game coordinator Thomas Brown worked as Thielen’s offensive coordinator with the 2023 Panthers. It’s the Brown connection, the Diggs relationship, and a team barreling toward the postseason in New England.
Sporting News‘ Jarrett Bailey noted Monday, “Adam Thielen requested his release from the Minnesota Vikings, and the team granted it, making him a free agent. Bringing him in is a no-brainer for the Patriots, but could also be the move that makes the most sense for Thielen. The Pro Bowl wideout made it clear that he wants to compete for a championship in his final NFL season.”
“The Patriots are 10-2 and marching towards potentially being the No. 1 seed in the AFC. On top of that, Patriots receivers coach Todd Downing spent time with Thielen in Minnesota in 2018. Considering what Thielen wants, along with the familiarity with Downing and Diggs, the Patriots make too much sense for this signing to not happen.”
1. Carolina Panthers
ESPN’s Davis Newton tweeted Monday, “Panthers coach Dave Canales says since Thielen officially remains on the Vikings roster he will ‘kick that one down the road’ a few days before indicating whether the team would be interested in bringing the veteran receiver back.”
Thielen worked for the same Panthers coaching staff 3.5 months ago. Everyone knows him. And Carolina has a 7-6 record.
Carolina has a chance to embarrass Minnesota by previously extracting a 4th-Round pick from the Thielen trade while potentially employing Thielen during its postseason push.
This spot might be a no-brainer if Carolina decides it needs just a bit more WR beef.
Thielen will turn 36 next summer.
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