Minnesota Vikings wide receivers Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs celebrate after a stunning playoff victory over the New Orleans Saints. The image was captured on Jan. 14, 2018, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, moments after Diggs’ unforgettable game-winning touchdown. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
It’s the time on the summer calendar when Minnesota Vikings fans line up to endorse an Adam Thielen trade.
A return to the Vikings for Adam Thielen? A new wave of support is growing, and it just might make sense for the purple team. Here’s why the buzz is back for now.
The idea usually floats around at least once per season, so mark early August as that time in 2025.
On the surface, Thielen, back to his origins, might check some boxes.
It’s Time for Adam Thielen Trade Endorsements
The soon-to-be 35-year-old is the stuff of trade daydreams right now.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen is shown during early-game action against the Carolina Panthers. The photo was taken on Oct. 17, 2021, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, where Thielen served as a reliable target in the opening quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports.
Paul Charchian Pounds the Table for an Adam Thielen Trade to Vikings
Some believe the Vikings need more WR beef for the upcoming NFL season, which kicks off on September 8th for Minnesota with a date at Chicago. The game will mark quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s first career start, and the man can use all the help he can get.
So, Paul Charchian, a godfather of fantasy football — an actual godfather of it — used the X app this week, formerly known as Twitter, to endorse a Thielen swap to the Vikings.
He tweeted, “Bringing Adam Thielen back to Minnesota makes so much sense. He’d cost very little to acquire. Carolina has young receivers who need reps. Thielen was legitimately great in the second half of last year, when Bryce Young was cookin’. And he knows the KOC offense. DO IT!”
Generally speaking, a Thielen reunion is always a hot topic among nostalgic fans.
Jordan Addison’s Suspension
Why is a Thielen trade suddenly on folks’ minds? Simple — the NFL revealed Tuesday that WR2 Jordan Addison will be suspended for three games, fallout for a DUI-like charge in California.
Jordan Addison of the Minnesota Vikings makes a first-quarter reception during a home game against the New Orleans Saints. The play occurred on Nov. 12, 2023, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where Addison continued his breakout rookie campaign. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
Jalen Nailor will be expected to carry the WR2 workload, with Justin Jefferson obviously headlining all festivities at WR1. Still, some don’t trust Nailor with a three-game WR2 assignment, making a Thielen trade the shiny fail-safe plan.
The working theory for the trade fodder is: Addison out, so Thielen in.
A Wee Bit of Concern about the ‘Other’ WRs
Aside from Addison — Jefferson hasn’t done much at training camp with a minor hamstring malady — Minnesota’s wide receivers haven’t exactly set the world on fire. Rookie Tai Felton has played like a rookie. Rondale Moore hasn’t put splashy transactions on tape. And the rest of the options are largely undrafted talents.
Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Tai Felton answers questions from the press during conference media day. The event took place on Jul. 25, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, as Felton previewed the upcoming Big Ten season. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports.
FantasyLife‘s Thor Nystrom tweeted this week, “The Vikings should seriously consider trading for a playable WR You’re gonna be without Addison for 3 games, Jefferson is currently sidelined, and your depth behind those 2 is crazy shaky — Nailor has been stone-handed all camp, and you can’t hang your hat on anyone else.”
The Vikings’ WR Room with Thielen
If general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah somehow pulls off the Thielen barter — he’d likely cost a conditional 7th-Round pick — Minnesota’s WR room could look like this in September:
Justin Jefferson
Jordan Addison (Suspended)
Adam Thielen
Jalen Nailor
Tai Felton
Rondale Moore
Another player, like Lucky Jackson, who’s looked great at training camp, could also vie for a roster spot.
Other Thielen-to-Vikings Fodder
Another Vikings-themed website, VikingsWire, also endorsed a Thielen trade to his former employer.
Andrew Harbaugh wrote Wednesday, “The Vikings are set to be without wide receiver Jordan Addison for three games to start the year after the league announced a suspension on Tuesday. Their star wide receiver, Justin Jefferson, is dealing with a hamstring injury and is expected to be held out of the preseason, but what if he misses regular season time too?”
“That is where Vikings fan favorite and Minnesota legend Adam Thielen can come into the picture. The Vikings could likely send a day-three pick to the Panthers, or even a 2027 pick, to get the deal done.”
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen runs onto the field during pregame introductions before kickoff. The scene was captured on Sep. 18, 2023, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, as Thielen took the field in his first season with Carolina. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports.
Thielen, by the way, probably has one season left in the tank.
Harbaugh added, “The only roadblock they may have is that Bryce Young seems to have emerged to favor him as a favorite target late in the season. When the Panthers’ offense started humming, it included a healthy dose of the veteran receiver.”
“Regardless, they have to know this may be the final year he is in the league so a draft pick for someone like that may be enough to entice them.”
Thielen will turn 35 in two weeks.
