Carolina Panthers trading veteran WR Adam Thielen to Minnesota Vikings

The Carolina Panthers and Minnesota Vikings are finalizing a trade to send veteran wideout Adam Thielen back to Minnesota, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. Both teams had been discussing the trade throughout the past week, struggling to agree on compensation.

Wednesday, they finally came to an agreement. The Vikings are acquiring Thielen, a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick.

It’s a homecoming for Thielen, who spent the first nine seasons of his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings (2013-2022). Thielen, 35, is third all-time in Vikings history with 534 receptions, fifth with 6,682 receiving yards and third with 55 receiving touchdowns.

Thielen, who signed a three-year $25 million contract with the Panthers ahead of the 2023 season, continued to produce in Carolina. He topped 1,000 yards in his first season with the Panthers and he compiled a team-leading 615 yards and five touchdowns in just 10 games in 2024.

Vikings land Adam Thielen, solve WR concerns

The Vikings needed another receiver with Jordan Addison having to serve a three-game suspension for violating the league’s Substance Abuse Policy and Jalen Nailor currently dealing with a hand injury. Minnesota is thin behind All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson and adding Thielen gives them another quality option in the passing game.

Thielen and quarterback J.J. McCarthy have worked out together the past couple offseasons. Now, they’re teammates. Even before rumors of a return came about, Thielen spoke highly of McCarthy.

“I have high expectations for him,” Thielen told Andrew Hughes in June. “I’ve been able to be around a little bit through some of the time last summer… back in Minnesota, and I think he has the ability to be one of the great quarterbacks this season and the face of this league at some point. You know, I think he’s got every tool and intangible that you can have.

“Obviously, it’s a difficult league and it’s not gonna just be easy, but I think he has the ability to handle adversity to be able to be big in big moments, as you saw when he was in college. I think he’s got a great support staff around him, whether it be the coaches or the trainers.”