Report: Panthers, Vikings attempting Adam Thielen trade, struggling on compensation

The Carolina Panthers and Minnesota Vikings have attempted to work out a trade for veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Thielen wants to return to Minnesota, where he spent the first nine seasons of his career, but the two sides are struggling to agree on compensation.

Thielen, 35, has been the subject of trade rumors throughout the offseason. The Vikings have been stockpiling draft picks throughout the last week, trading defensive tackle Harrison Phillips to the New York Jets, quarterback Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles and cornerback Mekhi Blackmon to the Indianapolis Colts. Minnesota acquired a 2026 fifth-round pick, two 2026 sixth-round picks and a 2027 seventh-round pick in those deals.

Thielen is set to make nearly $9 million this season, and Joseph Person of The Athletic reported Monday it “seems unlikely” general manager Dan Morgan would move him for a late-round pick. Minnesota does have a 2026 fourth-round pick but since it’s compensatory, it can’t be traded.

The Panthers have a logjam at the receiver position, but none — other than Hunter Renfrow — have the experience and proven track record of Thielen. Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker, David Moore and Jimmy Horn Jr. are the other notables in the room. Thielen has been a very reliable target over the last two seasons, catching 151 passes for 1,629 yards and nine touchdowns.

Vikings want to add WR; is Adam Thielen the answer?

Minnesota’s interest stems from Jordan Addison having to serve a three-game suspension for violating the NFL‘s Substance Abuse Policy and Jalen Nailor currently dealing with a hand injury. The Vikings are thin behind All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson and adding Thielen would give them another quality option in the passing game. Before these rumors even came about, Thielen spoke highly of Vikings starting quarterback J.J. 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.”