Earlier on Sunday, we heard the Carolina Panthers may be positioning to sign not one but two Pro Bowl receivers who have topped 1,000 yards in a single season. We can officially check one of those two off the list with the signing of Adam Thielen, the former Minnesota Vikings star.
Thielen announced the move via his Instagram page, capping a photo with “Let’s gooooo,” while tagging the Panthers. According to Pat McAfee, it’s a three-year deal for the 32-year-old Minnesota native. In doing so, Thielen is getting up to $25 million, with $14M guaranteed, and a salary of $10 million in the first season.
It’s true that Thielen’s role had begun to slowly diminish with the arrival of fellow Pro Bowl receiver Justin Jefferson, in addition to T.J. Hockenson later on. Yet, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound wideout hasn’t lost his crafty route-running ability or his knack for showing up in the red zone.
- Adam Thielen’s stats last season: 70 catches, 716 yards, 6 TD
Thielen immediately becomes a top target for whichever rookie quarterback head coach Frank Reich and the front office determines should be the NFL’s No. 1 pick in April. While a player like DJ Chark could still be added, for now, Thielen will be working in tandem with Terrace Marshall Jr. and Laviska Shenault Jr.
After nine seasons with the Vikings, working his way from a tryout player as an undrafted free agent to a 1,000-yard receiving threat, Thielen likely has plenty of pointers to pass along to his fellow receivers.
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