NFL Insiders Pour Gas on MN Vikings + Adam Thielen Rumors

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Adam Thielen, Justin Jefferson - Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers
Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Today is Adam Thielen’s 35th birthday. If you had to guess, what would be the one present he would love most for this mid-decade milestone? Because as of Thursday morning, you can’t help but wonder if a reunion with his hometown Minnesota Vikings is on Adam’s birthday wishlist.

Rumors of a Thielen return have been heating up over the past few days, after word got out that — not only were the Vikings going to be without Jordan Addison for the first three weeks of the season (suspension) — but they could very well be without WR3, Jalen Nailor too.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver search intensifying

Thus, MN Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is on the prowl for wide receiver help, a rumor that was substantiated by homegrown NFL insider Tom Pelissero (NFL Network) on Thursday.

Adam Thielen : Carolina Panthers Training Camp
Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

During an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show, the Edina, MN native — who started his media career working at local outlets like KFAN and 1500 ESPN — said he is “operating under the belief” that the Vikings’ WR2 for week is NOT currently on their roster.

“I’m operating under the belief right now that the [starting wide receiver] opposite Justin Jefferson in week one for the Vikings is probably not on their roster.”

Tom Pelissero – Rich Eisen Show

While there are a multitude of talented wideouts on the market, both via trade and free agency — with more to come as teams cut their roster down to 53 next week — we are getting too close to the start of the regular season for Kwesi to bring in just anybody.

Minnesota’s regular season begins on Monday Night Football in Chicago on September 8. That’s just 17 days away. Kevin O’Connell’s offense is far from “simple”, and not a system the Vikings cannot expect newcomers at any position to fully understand in 2.5 weeks or less.

Vikings trying to trade for Adam Thielen

Thus, Minnesota is looking for a wide receiver that they can plug and play immediately, which narrows down the options considerably. But there is one player out there who would fit what the Vikings need almost too perfectly.

That’s right, according to Pelissero, Adam Thielen is a “name to keep in mind, among others” as the Minnesota Vikings search for answers at wide receiver.

“[The Vikings] have a little extra ammunition to go out there — and again they have called all over the league — to potentially go out and get a wide receiver. If you’re looking and saying, ‘who’s going to be ready to go in week one?’

There’s multiple options, but there’s one guy in Carolina right now in Adam Thielen, who has produced in this offense. He’s played alongside Justin Jefferson, he knows exactly what Kevin O’Connell wants to do.

The Panthers have not wanted to give Thielen away. That’s why they’d didn’t trade him before the trade deadline last year. But keep that name in mind, among others, as a potential target who might even be out there in the starting lineup for the Vikings come week 1.”

Tom Pelissero – Rich Eisen Show

Then, early Friday morning, Adam Schefter (ESPN) swooped in with more gas for the Thielen + Vikings fire… reporting that Minnesota is indeed in talks with Carolina and that “Thielen could wind up starting opening night for the Vikings if they can complete the deal.”

Is trading for Adam Thielen a good idea for MN Vikings?

I talked on the MSF Show Thursday — please subscribe to our YouTube channel because we will be doing a lot more video content going forward — about how a trade for Adam Thielen seemed unlikely, given his $8 million salary (among other things) and Minnesota’s very temporary need at the position.

Once Addison returns to the lineup, targets for Thielen may be much harder to come by in the Vikings’ new-look offense. Remember, the Vikings offense is supposed to feature a much higher usage rate for the run game.

If true, feeding Jefferson, Addison, Thielen, Hockenson, Jones and Mason seems like a lot to put on the plate of a rookie QB. Of course, that’s probably an issue that can be stashed in the “good problems to have folder”. Because in addition to the revamped o-line, that would have to be the most dangerous set of offensive weapons in football.

Related: Vikings’ Free Agent WR Options May Be Dwindling

Last season, before he was injured, Thielen was playing well for the Panthers. In 10 total games, he produced 48 receptions (on 62 targets) for 615 yards and 5 touchdowns. In 2023, at 33 years old, Thielen played all 17 games, and produced one of the best seasons of his career, catching 103 passes for 1014 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Not only can Thielen still produce, but he spent a bunch of time the past two offseasons getting to know and working out with new MN Vikings quarterback, JJ McCarthy. So, not only would he come in with a deep knowledge of KOC’s offense, but a built-in rapport with his new QB too.

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