The Minnesota Vikings could be on track to reunite with former fan favorite and homegrown wide receiver Adam Thielen.
A native of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, and alum of Minnesota State, the two-time Pro Bowler and current Carolina Panther is a “name to watch” as the Vikings seek out help at receiver amid Jordan Addison’s suspension and Jalen Nailor’s hand injury.
They also lost newcomer Rondale Moore for the season due to a knee injury.
Justin Jefferson is on track to return to action for the regular season opener, but NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Thielen is indeed a name to monitor for a Vikings trade.
“The Vikings are seriously exploring acquiring a veteran wide receiver sometime in the next several days,” Pelissero reported on “Good Morning Football” on August 21. “It remains to be seen who even this other starting receiver is, come Week 1, that ‘Monday Night Football’ game against the Bears. There are a bunch of wide receivers that are potentially available. The Vikings have been working the phones. There are several names that it could end up being, but one of them is somebody that Vikings fans know well, … Adam Thielen.
“The Panthers have not wanted to give him away, going all the way back to the trade deadline last year when they got calls. But, potentially, could they find a way to bring Thielen, the Minnesota native, back home? That is one of the names to keep an eye on here.”
This Heavy Sports Vikings trade pitch sends late-round draft picks to the Panthers for Thielen.
Vikings get:
- Adam Thielen
Panthers get:
- 2026 sixth-round pick (via NYJ)
Thielen, who turns 35 on August 22, was an undrafted free agent with the Vikings in 2013. He spent nine seasons in Minnesota. He earned Second Team All-Pro honors in 2017, the same season he earned the first of back-to-back Pro Bowls.
Thielen is on a one-year, $8.7 million contract (with $81.8 million in career earnings).
Over The Cap has the Vikings at $26.4 million in cap space, which is more than enough room to fit Thielen in via trade and still have some wiggle room to make additional moves this season.
Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell Turns Heads With Adam Thielen Trade Talk Reaction
GettyAdam Thielen #19 of the Carolina Panthers smiles before playing the Dallas Cowboys.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell appeared on “Up & Adams” with Kay Adams, who suggested and questioned whether or not the Vikings should trade for Thielen.
O’Connell’s response garnered plenty of attention from fans and the media.
“If the goal is to get a receiver that can help out immediately, with Jordan Addison suspended and Jalen Nailor recovering from a hand injury, then it makes sense to pursue someone who knows the offense,” ESPN’s Kevin Seifert posted on X on August 21 in reaction to O’Connell’s comments. “Thielen also has worked out with J.J. McCarthy for two consecutive summers.”
Thielen has also praised Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, with whom he has worked out in each of the past two offseasons.
“He’s got all the things it takes to be a successful player in this league,” Thielen told KSTP Sports in July. “How I’ve gotten to year 13, he’s already got it. He’s got consistency, he’s got that mindset, he’s got all the skills to be able to play at a high level.
“I’m really excited, now, my second summer working with him, to see him get an opportunity, and to see what he does with the opportunity, because I see it now on the field. Just his mindset and all the things that it takes to be a great quarterback in this league, and I’ve been around a lot of great ones. He has everything you need. So I’m excited to see what happens.”
Perhaps Thielen can get a front-row seat with a trade from the Panthers to the Vikings.
Vikings Get Good News About Rookie 3rd-Round Pick
GettyTai’shar Felton #WO14 of Maryland participates in a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine.
The Vikings were a speculative destination for a wideout before the trade sending Phillips to the Jets.
Addison will be eligible to return in Week 4, but the extent of Nailor’s injury remains unclear.
On a positive note, the Vikings got good news about rookie third-round pick Tai Felton. He and Addison exited Wednesday’s practice early.
“Rookie Tai Felton appeared to injure his left hand during the full-pads practice, the Vikings’ final work of training camp. Then, veteran Jordan Addison ran off the field holding his arm and was attended to by athletic trainers. Felton and Addison remained on the sideline but did not return to practice,” Seifert wrote on August 20.
“Neither player, however, will miss any significant time.”
The Vikings open the 2025 regular season on the road. They will face the NFC North rival Chicago Bears on “Monday Night Football.” It is unclear if the Vikings will make a trade before then.
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