Vikings officially make trade for elite target for J.J. McCarthy
Former Michigan Wolverines quarterback JJ McCarthy is set to be the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings in the upcoming NFL season. While Justin Jefferson is an incredible target, he will be without Jordan Addison in the wide receiver room.
However, not long before the Vikings’ season began and McCarthy’s NFL debut, a new wide receiver was acquired to further strengthen the weapons at McCarthy’s disposal in 2025.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Vikings are trading with the Carolina Panthers for wide receiver Adam Thielen. The Minnesota native returns to the team where his career blossomed, and he joins the Vikings’ star-studded wide receiver room.
McCarthy Now Will Throw to TheilenThe trade for Thielen had the Vikings sending a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick. Aside from Thielen, the Vikings also got a 2027 fifth-round pick and a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick.
Homecoming: Panthers and Vikings are finalizing a trade for WR Adam Thielen to return to Minnesota, sources tell ESPN.
The trade: Vikings get Thielen, a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick, and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
Panthers get a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027ā¦ pic.twitter.com/GETXaMjY21
ā Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 27, 2025 The addition of Thielen is a great one for McCarthy for multiple reasons. This move vastly improves the wide receiver room for the beginning of the year, as Addison is suspended through the first three weeks.
But that’s not the only reason why this addition is a great one for the Vikings and McCarthy. Thielen has previously worked out with McCarthy in the offseason, which should help make Thielen’s return to the Vikings easier on everyone involved.
McCarthy was a first-round pick out of Michigan in 2024, but hasn’t played a down in the NFL after getting injured before his rookie year. But now, with the starting job secure since Sam Darnold is with the Seattle Seahawks, McCarthy will lead the Vikings in his first chance in the NFL.
MORE:Ā Vikings trade idea acquires new weapon for Michigan’s JJ McCarthy
He didn’t play much in the preseason, as he had just 30 yards passing on seven passing attempts. The 22-year-old will begin the year against the Chicago Bears, and instead of a weaker wide receiver corps, he’ll have Thielen alongside Jefferson to boost the offense.
McCarthy, in his final college season, had a 72.3 completion percentage, which led the Big Ten. He also threw for 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns, and four interceptions, along with placing 10th in Heisman voting in 2023.
It’s a big trade for the Vikings and McCarthy, as Thielen returns to the team where he began his incredible Pro-Bowl career in the NFL, and McCarthy gets a huge boost to his wide receiver room ahead of his NFL debut.
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