Panthers could trade Adam Thielen to Vikings as receiver’s wife trolls potential homecoming
There may be a Minnesota homecoming in store for the 2025 season.
The Vikings and Panthers are in talks for a trade that would put Adam Thielen back in the purple and gold, according to a The Minnesota Star Tribune report Friday morning.
Thielen, who is a Minnesota native, is in the last year of his contract with Carolina, where he signed as a free agent in 2023 after spending the first nine seasons of his NFL career with the Vikings.
It seems the Vikings are after insurance after receiver Jordan Addison received a three-game suspension to start the season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, along with Jalen Nailor’s hand injury.
Thielen’s wife added some fuel to the fire on her Instagram Story, posting “Big news!!!!” on Friday — though she later clarified it was about the family’s dog learning to swim, adding “Isn’t that all what you thought it’d be” with crying laughing emojis.
The 35-year-old’s star rose at Minnesota State-Mankato before he joined the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2013.
With the Vikings, he formed a lethal tandem with Stefon Diggs, racking up 6,682 yards and 55 touchdowns, eclipsing 1,200 yards in 2017 and 2018 to make the Pro Bowl.
In two seasons with Carolina, he’s posted 1,629 receiving yards and nine touchdowns as one of young QB Bryce Young’s favorite targets.
The potential move would pave the way for young recievers Xavier Legette and 2025 first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan to take the reins.
They also have veteran Hunter Renfrow, who is trying to have a comeback season after missing all of last year with ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune condition.
Trading Thielen would further add to a busy day for Caroline, which reportedly extended right tackle Taylor Moton with a two-year, $44 million deal with $40 million guaranteed.
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