Adam Thielen Reunion with Vikings Hits a Snag

Nov 17, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) participates in warm-ups before the start of a game against the Denver Broncos at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Berding-Imagn Images.

If you’re a lifelong fan of Adam Thielen, the good news is that a path, indeed, exists for the 35-year-old to return to the Minnesota Vikings and finish his career where it began.

Adam Thielen’s possible reunion with the Vikings has hit a snag as trade talks with the Panthers stall, leaving his return to Minnesota up in the air.

The bad news is the snag.

Minnesota is reportedly deep inside negotiations for Thielen’s services with the Carolina Panthers, but Thielen’s current employer wants a certain amount of draft capital for the veteran wideout.

The situation looms as NFL teams must trim their 90-man rosters to 53 players by Tuesday, August 26th, at 3:00 PM CST.

Adam Thielen Reunion Talks with Vikings Stumble. For Now.

The purple team evidently wants Thielen back and vice versa, but the deal’s finish line is elusive.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver A. Thielen (19) makes a catch while defended by New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) in the second quarter on Sep 18, 2023, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Thielen hauled in the play during the NFC South matchup. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports.

Compensation Reportedly Stalls Adam Thielen Talks

On a busy day for Minnesota — it moved cornerback Mekhi Blackmon to the Indianapolis Colts for a 6th-Round pick and waived two players: Leroy Watson (OT) and Oscar Chapman (P) — ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted a late-night update on the Thielen sweepstakes.

He remarked, “Vikings and Panthers have tried to work out a trade for Carolina WR Adam Thielen, who would like to return to Minnesota, but the two sides continue to struggle to agree on compensation.”

Schefter also uplifted Minnesota’s recent compensation spoils:

By trading QB Sam Howell (Eagles), CB Mekhi Blackmon (Colts), and DT Harrison Phillips (Jets), the Vikings added:

🏈2026 5th-round pick
🏈2026 6th-round pick
🏈2027 6th-round pick
🏈2027 7th-round pick

They gave up:
🏈2026 6th-round pick
🏈2027 7th-round pick

Fans perceived the update bittersweetly because a) It proved Minnesota, indeed, wants Thielen back b) Hurdles stand in the way.

The Interest Is There

Once upon a time, in May for example, the idea of Thielen returning to Minneapolis sounded like a homer’s take. That is — those who wanted him back were accused of calling for the reunion out of sheer nostalgia.

Some questioned why a 35-year-old receiver would be on the agenda at all, but after a few months of summer operations, Thielen makes sense in Minnesota. He just does. Of course, the pot has been sweetened for the pro-Thielen camp because Minnesota’s front office has verifiable interest.

Why Minnesota Might Need Thielen

Three items have propelled Kevin O’Connell’s team to this Thielen-needy spot.

Minnesota wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) celebrates after scoring a touchdown run in the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers on Sep 29, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Addison energized his teammates during the rivalry matchup at Lambeau. © Dan Powers-USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

Foremost, Jordan Addison won’t suit up until Week 4 in Dublin. His tomfoolery caught up with him, popped in the summer of 2024 for a DUI-adjacent crime in California. Addison, the WR2, is suspended. Rondale Moore, Minnesota’s would-be WR4 solution, blew out his knee in the first preseason game. His season is cooked. Perhaps career, too.

And Jalen Nailor has a gimpy hand. Nobody knows much about the injury. Folks are merely expecting an update sometime in the next couple of weeks.

Therefore, Thielen, even at age 35, has a role if Minnesota can swing the deal.

Prediction?

VikingsTerritory wholeheartedly believes the Thielen deal will materialize. It checks all the boxes: satiating a WR2 need for a few weeks, Thielen’s familiarity with the offense, and a retirement tour for a beloved player.

Minnesota wide receiver A. Thielen (19) warms up before a wild card playoff game against the New York Giants on Jan 15, 2023, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Thielen prepared for the postseason contest in front of the home fans. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.

Thankfully, if Carolina won’t budge, oodles of other options are available via trade and free agency. Still, we predict that Minnesota lands Thielen and a 7th-Rounder for a 5th-Round pick or something in that ballpark.

More on Thielen

Newsweek‘s Evan Massey wrote about Thielen and Minnesota this week: “A new update has been shared about Minnesota’s trade interest in Thielen. According to Ben Goessling of the Minnesota Star Tribune, the Vikings are still talking with Carolina about a trade.”

“He also shared that Thielen is ‘excited’ about the possibility of heading back to Minnesota. Both teams maintaining dialogue about a Thielen trade suggests that it could very well happen. If the Panthers didn’t want to trade the veteran wideout, talks would not have continued this long.”

Thielen turned 35 last weekend.

Minnesota General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah joined Paul Allen to preview the Week 8 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams on Oct 22, 2024. Speaking ahead of a season in which the Vikings finished 14-2, Adofo-Mensah discussed roster direction and expectations. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.

“Obviously, the Vikings are also badly wanting to bring him back to town. He has become their clear-cut number one option in the wide receiver trade market. Last season with Carolina, Thielen played in 10 games. He racked up 48 catches for 615 yards and five touchdowns. Back in 2023, he caught 103 passes for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns,” Massey added.

“Minnesota is expected to be a contender in the NFC once again this season. J.J. McCarthy is entering his first year as the team’s starting quarterback and it’s a clear priority for the Vikings to give him the best weapons they possibly can.”

Before the alleged recent hiccups, two sources told VikingsTerritory that the swap for Thielen was highly likely to unfold.