The Minnesota Vikings were absolutely embarrassed by the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. The purple were shutout for the first time since 2007, losing by a score of 26-0.
It stings a bit more, seeing as the loss came to Sam Darnold. The former apple of Vikings’ fans eyes didn’t have to do much, though as his 53.8% completion percentage and 128 passing yards were more than enough to complete the job.
Something that caught the eye of everyone pre-game, though, was the inactive status of Vikings WR Adam Thielen.
Vikings Make Adam Thielen Inactive Against Seahawks
GettyAdam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on before facing the Chicago Bears.
Trevor Squire of Heavy on Vikings provided some coverage on the situation regarding the Minnesota Vikings and Adam Thielen:
“On Sunday, November 30, Thielen was inactive for a Week 13 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, his first healthy scratch of the season.
Since the Vikings’ Week 6 bye, Thielen has played just 44 snaps in six games. He’s caught eight of 18 targets this season for 69 yards receiving and has three drops to his name. For comparison, Thielen has dropped three or fewer passes across five of his nine seasons as a full-time starter, per Pro Football Focus.”
The Vikings’ trade for Thielen back from the Carolina Panthers is looking even worse than it did before. Minnesota traded for Thielen back in August, with the trade as follows:
- Panthers receive: 2026 fifth-round pick, 2027 fourth-round pick
- Vikings receive: WR Adam Thielen, 2026 seventh-round pick, 2027 fifth-round pick
The prospect that Minnesota traded a fourth-rounder for Thielen is true, but when you look at it, these are likely just some minor pick-swaps between the teams. The Panthers being unexpectedly good doesn’t help the Vikings’ case in the trade, however.
Kevin O’Connell Tells Truth on Thielen’s Benching
Stephen Maturen/GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 14: Head coach Kevin O’Connell of the Minnesota Vikings talks with Adam Thielen #19 before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
PurplePTSD’s Janik Eckhardt provided coverage of Kevin O’Connell speaking on the decision to sit Thielen down on Sunday:
“I’d just file it under a coach’s decision. Looking at where we were at some other positions around our roster, you’re just trying to do what you think is best to win and make sure you’ve got some depth at some other spots where guys were dealing with some things. That receiver position’s one that has stayed pretty remarkably healthy this year.”
Eckhardt provided some of his own ellaboration:
“The Vikings just held him out of the game. Multiple players entered the contest with injuries, and expecting those injuries to worsen isn’t the worst idea. And let’s be honest, Thielen has been expendable this season, whether we like it or not. O’Connell still had his top trio of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jalen Nailor available, while special teamers Tai Felton and Myles Price are technically receivers, too.”
Could this all be trending towards an Adam Thielen release from Minnesota? It wouldn’t be surprsing, as the 35-year-old is approaching father-time, meaning he may want to finish 2025 with a contender.
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