By now, nearly every Minnesota Vikings’ fan is aware of Adam Thielen’s story. Thielen spent nine full seasons playing for the purple and gold, in which he cemented himself as one of the best wide receivers in Minnesota Vikings’ history.
Thielen ended his Vikings’ tenure after the team and him parted ways last offseason. The Vikings wanted Thielen to take a pay reduction, he declined, and ultimately took his talents to the Carolina Panthers signing a three-year, $25 million contract. After a brutal season with the Panthers, winning only two games in 2023, could Thielen be recognizing that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side?
Minnesota Vikings’ beat writer hints at Adam Thielen potentially returning to the team?
The Thielen back to Minnesota buzz started to heat up again when Thielen began posting videos of him working out and catching passes from Vikings’ rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Not only did this get fans riled up and reminiscing on old times, but a recent nugget from a Minnesota Vikings’ beat writer caught social media by storm over the weekend.
According to Ben Goessling (Star Tribune) via KFAN, Goessling noted that if Thielen ends up getting cut by the Panthers in the next few weeks, both Thielen and the Vikings could have interest in a potential return to Minnesota. This is still a long-shot at best but something that is absolutely worth exploring. Especially, for a team that has question marks at the wide receiver depth position and Jordan Addison potentially missing time.
Adam Thielen is still under contract in Carolina, but he’s been working out with J.J. McCarthy. And if he ends up getting cut in Carolina, I guess I wouldn’t be stunned by that. I mean, it certainly would make some sense for him to come back… And I think [the Vikings would] have some interest in that if that ever were to come up… I think the relationship is such that maybe if that would come up, that could be an option for him at some point.
Ben Goessling (Star Tribune via KFAN)
Would former Minnesota Vikings’ Adam Thielen even get cut by the Carolina Panthers?
This is where things get a bit tricky from a practicality perspective. According to Over The Cap, cutting Thielen would incur a $8,167,000 million dead cap hit while only saving $1,750,000 million in cap savings. It’s feasible, given what we’ve seen in the NFL, but it’s not a large savings. Especially, for a wide receiver of Thielen’s talents who still put up over 1,000 yards receiving last year.
What seems more practical is the Panthers trading Thielen to a Super Bowl contender at the trade deadline or releasing him next offseason. Both of these options make much more sense financially for the Panthers.
In the end, Thielen’s workouts with McCarthy and positive comments for the future franchise quarterback will only fuel the fire amongst fans. If Thielen ever does become available in the open market, you can best be assured that the Vikings will be making a phone call to one of the best wide receivers to ever play for the team.
