The Adam Thielen to Minnesota Vikings Trade Rumors are Here

Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers
Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Well, the Minnesota Vikings are no longer undefeated, after taking an L at home vs the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Now, they’re a 5-1 team looking to rebound. Next up on the schedule is a road matchup vs the Los Angeles Rams, on a short week.

Just four days after falling down for the first time this season, on Thursday Night Football in prime time, the Vikings will have to get up off the mat against Kevin O’Connell’s best friend. All while supposedly having trade conversations with one another surrounding QB, Matt Stafford.

Minnesota Vikings looking for WR help… like Adam Thielen?

While the Stafford reports were refuted on Wednesday, more are sure to prop up. Some will be significant, others not so much. There have been reports that the Vikings are interested in guards, cornerbacks and defensive tackles, on the trade block.

Minnesota Vikings trade rumors - Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers
Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

But another position that makes sense is wide receiver. Enter Minnesota State Mankato’s own Adam Thielen, who played nine legendary seasons in purple. Now, the 34-year-old homegrown legend out of Detroit Lakes is stuck in a brutal situation with the Carolina Panthers… and is very much expected to be available at the deadline.

Well, over at The Athletic, Dianna Russini and Jacob Robinson think Thielen coming home at the NFL Trade Deadline makes too much sense to ignore. Sure, the Panthers would be doing the Vikings and Thielen a favor. But how big of a favor would taking a 6th round pick back really be? Here is The Athletic’s Thielen + Minnesota speculation. I’ll talk more about possible trade cost below.

Trade Proposals: Eight more WR moves that should happen

Vikings add Adam Thielen, sending the Panthers a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick. The 34-year-old — who is expected to practice this week — would return to his native Minnesota and to a franchise he didn’t intend to leave. Back in purple and gold, he can man the slot position for Kevin O’Connell’s offense. But this feels like the Panthers doing the Vikings (and my fantasy team) a favor.

Dianna Russini and Jacob Robinson – The Athletic

Why Adam Thielen back to the Vikings makes sense

We know the Minnesota Vikings have one of the best wide receiver duos in the league, in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. But behind them, the NFL talent falls off. Jalen Nailor has been better, and more importantly, he as been healthy.

Kevin O’Connell and Sam Darnold, however, could use a good veteran receiver who can play in the slot, and open up more of the short to intermediate game for the offense. That’s where Adam Thielen would fit in perfectly, providing a voice in the offensive huddle that has seen it all and can help mentor Addison, Nailor and Jefferson, who’s still just 25-years-old.

In 101 starts at WR for the Vikings, Thielen racked up 6,682 yards and 55 touchdowns, on 12.5 yards per reception. Adam was impressive in his first season as a Panther, too, grabbing 103 receptions (137 targets), for 1014 yards and 4 touchdowns. That success has not transferred to 2024. In just three games, Theilen has 109 yards and one TD.

How much will Thielen cost at trade deadline?

Thielen isn’t on an expiring contract, but it might be better. Adam has one year remaining on his deal, after this season, at just $4 million. So not free, but about as cheap as you can get for a productive veteran wideout.

As far as what it will cost to get Thielen from the Panthers, there are multiple factors in play. First, it’s important to note that the mid-30s wide receiver has missed Carolina’s last four games, nursing a hamstring injury. It was reported this week that he is nearing a return, but let’s be real.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Injury Report: Who’s In and Who’s Out vs the LA Rams

Combine Adam’s injury recovery with the fact that he is an old receiver playing on a bad team… well, those guys don’t usually hold a lot of value on the trade market, especially at the deadline. In other words, if the Minnesota Vikings want Adam Thielen, they should easily be able to get him.

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