Vikings Close In on Blockbuster Trade

Brian O’Neill (75), Adam Thielen (19), and the Vikings celebrate their first touchdown, which took place during the second minute of the game. Sunday, October 21, 2018 Jets. © Kevin R. Wexler/NorthJersey.com.

It appears you, the Minnesota Vikings fan, may have your wish granted.

The Minnesota Vikings are getting close to a blockbuster exchange in terms of Minnesota lore, with sources hinting at a surprising move that would excite the team’s fans to the utmost.

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is reportedly nearing a deal to reunite Adam Thielen with the Vikings, his employer of 10 seasons before trying on the Carolina Panthers for size in 2023 and 2024.

Multiple NFL insiders and VikingsTerritory‘s sources are hinting that the deal is imminent.

Talks Heat Up as Vikings Pursue Adam Thielen

Minnesota needs some WR help, and a familiar face checks some boxes.

Minnesota wide receiver A. Thielen (19) lined up against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 10, 2015, in Glendale, Arizona. Thielen contributed to the narrow 23-20 loss as MIN came up short in a prime-time NFC matchup. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.

Vikings Reportedly Close In on Adam Thielen Swap

Since last offseason, following Thielen’s first year in Carolina, purple fans have sideways chirped about a Thielen reunion because it just made more sense for the beloved Minnesotan to finish his career where it started.

Those requests may be granted as early as this weekend.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted Friday morning, “Vikings have inquired about trading for Panthers WR Adam Thielen, per league sources. With WR Jordan Addison serving a three-game suspension and Jalen Nailor dealing with a hand injury, Thielen could wind up starting opening night for the Vikings if they can complete the trade.”

Star Tribune‘s Ben Goessling posted 30 minutes after the Schefter tweet: “The Vikings and Panthers are discussing a trade that would bring Adam Thielen back to Minnesota, sources said. We’ll see if the sides agree on a price, but there’s certainly interest in making a Thielen return happen.”

So, the Thielen reunion is in the works.

From VikingsTerritory Sources

Our sources confirmed the trade, adding that it will “probably be announced Saturday or Sunday.”

When pressed about the deal’s fruition, one source replied, “I am told it’s done.”

Thielen’s wife, Caitlin, also hinted at “big news” on her Instagram, following the teaser with an announcement that her dog learned how to swim. It’s one of those speculative days in Minnesota’s orbit.

Why Thielen Is Needed

Thielen fodder has turned white-hot in the last week — hotter to the touch than the last six months when many thought a deal would make sense just for Thielen to end his career in the Twin Cities — for a few pragmatic reasons.

Minnesota wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18), Carolina Panthers wide receiver A. Thielen (19), and MIN wide receiver K.J. Osborn (17) shared a moment after the game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on October 1, 2023. Minnesota and Carolina players connected after the hard-fought contest. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports.

Foremost, Jordan Addison will not play in the season’s first three games. He’s suspended. Justin Jefferson also missed nearly all of training camp with a hamstring ailment. Thielen could reasonably fill the WR2 role for a few weeks.

That’s not at all: WR4 Rondale Moore injured his knee — again — and will miss the entire 2025 season. There’s more. WR3 Jalen Nailor is battling a hand injury, with an unknown timetable for game-readiness.

After those factoids, upstart wideout Lucky Jackson may not be ready for the bright lights of the regular season + WR2 duty. And rookie Tai Felton is, well — a rookie.

Minnesota may even pull off two WR swaps, not just the hot-topic Thielen move.

The Naysayers

Not everyone is sold on the Thielen-to-Minnesota theory, though.

The Athletic‘s Dianna Russini tweeted Friday, “This week’s Harrison Phillips trade began the process of increasing Minnesota’s cap flexibility as they look for potential trade additions, but financial hurdles remain before any potential Adam Thielen-Vikings reunion can occur, sources say.”

“The Panthers also reworked Thielen’s deal in early March to bump up his 2025 salary and likes the veteran presence he provides them. We’ll see where this goes with the regular season less than two weeks away.”

Minnesota wide receiver A. Thielen (19) warmed up before the divisional clash with the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, on September 29, 2019. Thielen prepared for the NFC North battle with pregame drills on the road. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports.

KSTP’s Darren Wolfson also remarked, “I’m still struggling with figuring out why Carolina would move Adam right now. At the trade deadline if they’re out of contention = sure. But why now? Suppose would have to be an overpay by Vikings. Adam had Bryce Young up here in July. Seems they figured things out last year.”

More Thielen Takes

Nelson Thielen — no relation — at Zone Coverage weighed in on the idea of a Thielen exchange to Minnesota this week.

He opined, “Just like with Jefferson and Addison, some role overlap between Thielen and Hockenson actually provides more for a defense to account for in those clutch situations. And Thielen isn’t stuck running five-yard outs either. He’s shown he still has the savvy to find himself open downfield.”

“I’m not saying to trade the farm for a 34-year-old Adam Thielen. You may not be willing to pay what Carolina would ask for, considering how well Thielen is still playing and what he means to their offense at the moment. But given Minnesota is singularly focused on developing their rookie quarterback, and I can’t think of another semi-affordable option on the market currently than the kid from Detroit Lakes.”

Carolina wide receiver A. Thielen (19) ran onto the field before the game against Minnesota at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on December 22, 2024. The veteran receiver drew a loud reaction as he faced his former team. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images.

Thielen turned 35 on Friday, the day of this article’s publication.

Nelson Thielen added, “Would it also be cool for fans to break out their Thielen jerseys again? (Assuming they ever took them off.) Yes. Would it feel right to allow Thielen to retire a Viking, not just in spirit but on the field? Absolutely. But this isn’t just midwestern sentimentality.”

“The best thing this front office has done this offseason is stay focused on its mission. Neither Sam Darnold nor Aaron Rodgers swayed them. They invested heavily in their offensive line. They’ve brought along McCarthy well, and he seems ready to go. Go bring back the fan favorite and finish the job.”

If the trade buzz is accurate, Minnesota and Carolina will likely lock in the deal after the final preseason game(s).