Vikings releasing Adam Thielen

Some shocking news in the NFL to start off your Friday (10). The Minnesota Vikings are releasing veteran WR Adam Thielen as per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. He played 10 years in Minnesota, his home state, after being an undrafted free agent in 2013. His debut in the league, however, only happened a year later, in 2014.

Thielen, 32, is native of Detroit Lakes, a small city located in the state of Minnesota. He also attended Minnesota State University during his college years and played his whole professional career in Minnesota. This means that not only he is hitting the free agency market for the first time in his career but also that he could finally move out of Minnesota for the first time in his life.

The move will open $6.4 million in space on the salary cap. The WR had the second-highest salary on the team, only behind QB Kirk Cousins. Now that he left, who is going to be WR2 for Cousins? Justin Jefferson remains the main target, of course.

Adam Thielen

His NFL career started as a bet from the Vikings. He only played NCAA division II and had to climb all the way up to the 53-man roster. His first year was on the practice squad. Then, special teams. And nine years later he’s been one of the best and most reliable catchers in the league.

Thielen’s best season was, by far, in 2018. He set his personal record of 113 catches throughout the season, with 1,373 yards (also a career-high) and nine touchdowns. His season with the most TDs was in 2020, with 14.

During his 10 years in NFL Thielen has played 135 games. He has 534 receptions, 6,682 yards and 55 touchdowns. Also, running with the ball, he has 21 carries for 172 yards and one TD. Some teams are needing to improve their WR roster, so what’s the best franchise for the player?

If Aaron Rodgers stays in Green Bay, I’d say the Packers should land him. But if the rumours are real and Rodgers actually leaves, the Bears, the Ravens, or even the Giants could make an effort to hire Thielen.