Adam Thielen and Vikings Expected to Split

Photo: David Berding - Getty Images

Adam Thielen is one of the most beloved Minnesota Vikings in franchise history and where he plays out the rest of his career will not change that. But it looks like fans will have to get used to seeing the 32-year-old Detroit Lakes native in another NFL uniform starting next season.

Adam Thielen is unlikely to take pay cut with Vikings

Jeremy Fowler wrote about it at ESPN on Sunday morning and, locally, Darren Wolfson (SKOR North) has been saying it for months. The Vikings are going to ask Adam Thielen to take a massive pay cut if he wants to remain in Minnesota and he’s very unlikely to agree to that.

Watch for the Minnesota Vikings to make some moves with veteran players, too. Receiver Adam Thielen‘s $20 million cap hit must be reworked, and it wouldn’t surprise if talks resulted in a fresh start. His role in the offense could be an issue after Thielen averaged 6.4 targets per game, down from 7.3 in 2021. He believes he has more to offer than that, and Minnesota very well could enter the receiver market in free agency or via trade. Safety Harrison Smith ($19.1 million) and linebacker Eric Kendricks ($11.4 million) are veterans to watch, as well. The Vikings could ask them to restructure their contracts or take pay cuts. The sense here is Smith stays on, even if it’s at a reworked salary.

Jeremy Fowler – ESPN
Money situation

Adam Thielen is way too expensive for the Vikings’ taste. He’s due to make over $13 million in cash, at a cap hit of $20 million (Spotrac). But if he’s cut or traded, he’ll get way more guaranteed money on the open market. He and his agency clearly know that.

As sad as it is to see fan favorites leave town, it’s time for a split between Thielen and the Minnesota Vikings. Sometimes, that’s what is best for both parties and that seems to be the case here.

Harrison Smith expected to restructure deal

Contrary to Thielen’s probable departure, Fowler reports that Harrison Smith wants to stay and that he’s expected to restructure his contract to help make it happen. Decisions are due to be made in the next couple of weeks on Dalvin Cook, Eric Kendricks and Dalvin Tomlinson too, among others.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan