It’s Only Week 2 and Adam Thielen is Already Losing His Nerve in Carolina

By Eric Strack |

Updated: Sep 15, 2024

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

The Minnesota Vikings moved their regular season record to 2-0, Sunday, beating the San Francisco 49ers 23-17 in one of the more shocking upsets of week two. With the win, they also became easily one of the more surprising Cinderella stories of the 2024 NFL season, so far.

So far, Sam Darnold looks great, Brian Flores’ revamped defense looks even better, allowing the Vikings to start (supposedly) the most grueling three-game stretch of their schedule, 1-0. And suddenly… the next two games vs Houston and Green Bay don’t look all that intimidating, either.

Adam Thielen visibly frustrated with Carolina Panthers offense

Unfortunately for Adam Thielen, the same cannot be said with the Carolina Panthers, who were stomped by the LA Chargers 26-3, on Sunday, dropping their record to 0-2, on the season. And to nobody’s surprise, the 34-year-old Minnesota legend had his frustrations boil over a bit during the game.

It happened after his 2nd year QB, Bryce Young, didn’t see him running across the field WIDE OPEN on 3rd down. Clearly, Adam Thielen is sick of the Panthers’ ineffectiveness, on offense. And just like most other receivers, not named Justin Jefferson, Adam has plenty of diva in him. In all reality, this one was pretty mild.

Adam Thielen heads the sidelines with visible frustration pic.twitter.com/S9WMTV8yG9
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 15, 2024

Look, the Panthers aren’t a great team, outside of quarterback. Nobody is arguing that. But let’s address the elephant in the room. Quarterback is the problem, in Carolina. Bryce Young is not good. Point the finger at Young, or the Panthers’ coaching staff. Hell, be mad at Adam Thielen, if you want.

But at the end of the day, when your NFL team has a QB problem, nothing else really matters. And unfortunately, for the Detroit Lakes native and Mankato State alum, I do not see his new(ish) team’s struggles being fixed anytime soon.

Thielen plays good teammate after the game

Per usual, Thielen was Minnesota nice, after the game. Tempers run hot during battle. That’s the way it’s been for most competitors, and the way it will always be. And a lot of the wide receivers in this world, not named Justin Jefferson, are divas. Deep down, our favorite hometown underdog is no different.

Adam Thielen postgame on the Panthers offense: "I love Bryce to death, man. He works his butt off. He's a great player. This is not a Bryce Young issue. This is an offensive team issue. We are all in this together. I know what football is, that's why I love this game with… pic.twitter.com/Kn1RYvWwg0
— Ashley Stroehlein (@ashstro) September 15, 2024

“I love Bryce to death, man. He works his butt off. He’s a great player. This is not a Bryce Young issue. This is an offensive team issue. We are all in this together. That’s why I love this game with everything I have, because it is the greatest team game. Because it’s not about an individual. It’s not basketball, where you can have one or two great players and have success. In this league, in this game, you have to have 11 guys on the same page to have individual success. So, there is no individual on this offense that is to blame. It’s a collective. I’m excited about where we can go, but we need to have urgency to get that done.”
Adam Thielen (Carolina Panthers) when asked about his visible frustration during loss to Chargers

Of course, nobody made Adam Thielen say the quiet part out loud. Yes, football is the ultimate team game. But isn’t it also true that one of the 22 starters on roster (QB) is also coined “the most important player in sports”. Pretty convenient, huh?

But what else is he supposed to say? ‘Yeah, our 2nd-year QB sucks.’ So, given the circumstances, I’d say our boy did a damn good job of deflecting his frustrations, in order to be a good teammate.

Minnesota Vikings should save the hometown legend

Adam Thielen : Minnesota Vikings — Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

Behind the scenes, though, Adam Thielen is not happy in Carolina anymore. He took the money and thought he could help turn the culture. That’s not how it’s gone, though. Blame whoever you want, their No. 1 overall experiment at quarterback didn’t work, and now the former Viking is caught in the aftermath.

We’re still a couple of months away from the NFL trade deadline, though. Sam Darnold has looked pretty damn good so far, but if the Panthers were up for trading Thielen home, for pennies, I’m guessing the Vikings would be very interested. They were not that long ago, so I doubt that has changed.

Adam Thielen still has one year remaining on his contract. It will cost the Panthers $5 million in dead cap to cut him early, even next offseason. So if this losing continues, both sides would likely be motivated to get him out of town, whether that be back to Minnesota or elsewhere. So why not us, Adam Thielen? Why not now?