Adam Thielen’s time with the Minnesota Vikings ended after 9 seasons (2014-2022), and he has finalized a second act with the Carolina Panthers, agreeing to phrases on a deal, the staff introduced. The soon-to-be 33-year-old’s arrival in Charlotte comes on the heels of the Panthers former prime large receiver D.J. Moore’s departure to the Chicago Bears as a part of the package deal despatched to accumulate the NFL Draft’s prime total choose. Thielen shared his pleasure about his new residence by posting an Instagram story of his kids celebrating the brand new deal.
Adam Thielen
Thielen’s deal is for 3 years, by way of NFL Media. He turns into the grown-up in Carolina’s large receiver room because the staff’s different projected starters Terrace Marshall Jr. (22 years outdated), Laviska Shenault Jr. (24 years outdated), and Shi Smith (24 years outdated) are all beneath the age of 25. The two-time Pro Bowl large receiver’s presence, together with three-time Pro Bowl veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, ought to assist speed up the expansion of whichever quarterback the Panthers choose between Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Alabama’s Bryce Young, Florida’s Anthony Richardson, and Kentucky’s Will Levis.
The Vikings launched Thielen so as to open up wage cap area forward of the beginning of the brand new league yr, which occurred on March 15. Prior to Thielen’s launch, Minnesota was almost $15 million over the cap, in keeping with Spotrac. By shifting off of Thielen, who had a cap hit of $19.967,647 million for the 2023 season, the Vikings freed up $6.4 million in area.
“Adam will eternally be part of the Minnesota Vikings household and historical past,” GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah mentioned in an announcement launched by the staff. “Setting the usual together with his play on the sphere, being a selfless teammate, and making a everlasting impression locally, Adam’s affect is critical. We are grateful for all the pieces he dropped at the Vikings group since arriving in 2013, and I’m grateful to have had the chance to work with him over the past yr. He is the very best illustration of what the Minnesota Vikings ought to stand for. I want nothing however the very best for Adam, Caitlin and their total household.”
A former undrafted rookie, Thielen has been an especially productive and constant participant for almost all of his profession. A backup throughout his first two seasons, Thielen was elevated into the Vikings’ beginning lineup forward of the 2015 season. He almost topped 1,000 yards that season earlier than catching 91 passes for 1,276 yards and 4 touchdowns the next season. Thielen put up profession highs with 113 receptions and 1,373 yards in 2017 whereas serving to the Vikings attain the NFC title sport.
While his receiving yards have dipped, Thielen continues to have a nostril for the tip zone. He caught a career-high 14 touchdowns in 2020. He caught 10 touchdowns in 2021 and 6 touchdowns final season.
“Adam’s story is one many know and admire and an unimaginable instance of what a relentless pursuit of a objective can in the end accomplish,” mentioned head coach Kevin O’Connell in an announcement. “For over a decade, Adam honed his craft to turn into probably the most well-recognized large receivers within the NFL. Over that very same time, he poured a lot of his time into his residence state, which made it much more particular for him to earn our 2022 Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination. I personally leaned on Adam for his work ethic, management and counsel a number of instances to assist get our staff the place we wished it to be final season. I recognize Adam’s contributions and will likely be pulling for continued success for him, Caitlin and their kids.”
After serving to mentor large receiver Justin Jefferson, who developed from a primary spherical choose in 2020 (twenty second total) into the 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Thielen’s latest pupil will likely be a primary total choose quarterback.
