Adam Thielen has been released by the Minnesota Vikings as an inevitable move to clear up cap space
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.– After nearly a decade in the Twin Cities, the Minnesota Vikings have opted to release long-time wide receiver Adam Thielen. The news comes after Thielen and the Vikings attempted to reach a deal with restructured terms, but both sides were reportedly simply too far apart.
Thielen has been a steady hand for the Vikings since his arrival in Minnesota in 2013. In over ten years as a Vike, the Detroit Lakes native racked up 6,682 yards receiveing paired with 55 touchdowns. He has been the well-sung compliment to a host of number one receivers including Greg Jennings, Stefon Diggs, and Justin Jefferson.
Adam Thielen has been a Minnesota sweetheart, with a Hallmark story that only he himself could emulate. The 32-year old went to school at Minnesota State University in Mankato, a DII school that’s been known for their excellent representation in the Division II postseason in recent memory. He got on Minnesota scouts’ radars by attending a tryout and impressing the executives enough for him to earn a spot on the roster.
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Since then, he’s spent the last ten years investing in the state with workout facilities, philanthropy, and much more, giving back to the place where he has spent nearly all his life. He’s also been one of the Vikings’ sweet spots throughout the past decade.
The move was made to clear up significant cap space for a Minnesota Vikings team that ran away with the NFC North crown a year ago in 2022. Throughout the regular and postseason, Adam Thielen caught 70 balls for 716 yards last season, proof he can still be a productive receiver despite his 32 years of age. Thielen put up back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2017 and 2018, and has been a terrific slot receiver.
Good landing spots include teams that are willing to take in a veteran presence for cheap. While Adam Thielen had a $19.97 million cap hit, expect him to take a significant pay cut. The Green Bay Packers could be a potential new home for the receiver as the WR room in Titletown looks to want a veteran guy with an impending Randall Cobb sign off.
The penny-pinching Vikings will save $6.417 million on the cap with a $13.55 million dead-money hit by releasing Thielen, money they can invest into other players. Thielen’s play as a slot receiver could prove valuable to plenty of teams across the league. Expect him to not be on the market for long, as Thielen could be attributed to have started the era of technical route runners along with Julian Edelman and Wes Welker.
“Adam will forever be a part of the Minnesota Vikings family and history,” general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said in a statement. “Setting the standard with his play on the field, being a selfless teammate, and making a permanent impact in the community, Adam’s influence is significant. We are grateful for everything he brought to the Vikings organization since arriving in 2013, and I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to work with him over the last year. He is the best representation of what the Minnesota Vikings should stand for. I wish nothing but the best for Adam, Caitlin and their entire family.”
“Adam’s tremendous impact goes well beyond the Vikings organization,” owners Zygi and Mark Wilf also said in a statement to the public. “His rise from a tryout player to one of the best players in the history of our franchise has encouraged so many young athletes and is a testament to hard work and perseverance.
“He was a Minnesota Viking long before we signed him and he will be always considered a part of this team.”
