Frank Reich has taken over the head coaching duties for the Carolina Panthers, and we’ve already seen a hail mary by trading up to first pick in the NFL Draft. In doing so, they parted with top receiver D.J. Moore, furthering their need for a pass-catcher.
Adam Thielen was recently released from the Minnesota Vikings after nine seasons, including two Pro Bowl appearances, but is now set to visit Carolina on Wednesday. It is the first reported interest since Thielen was let go after the Vikings failed to agree to a contract adjustment that lowered his $19 million cap hit for 2023.
- Adam Thielen’s stats last season: 70 receptions, 716 receiving yards, 6 TD catches
Instead, Thielen could like the idea of landing with the Panthers, where he’d immediately become a top target in a mix that includes the unproven yet talented duo of receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. and tight end Tommy Tremble.
While Thielen would certainly vie for a large workload, how quickly the Panthers’ rookie quarterback adjusts to the pros could provide a bumpy ride for the receiver entering his age-33 season.
Thielen clearly still feels like he has plenty to offer next season, and being that he’s yet to win a Super Bowl ring, it’s a bit surprising to see him looking to possibly hitch his cart to a team with a rookie QB incoming. Yet, perhaps he realizes the Panthers have over $20 million in cap space and plenty of targets to offer. We’ll see if any other teams step up to the plate before Thielen signs on the dotted line.
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