Adam Thielen continues to prove his worth with the Minnesota Vikings
By Adam Carlson
Adam Thielen has come a long way with the Minnesota Vikings and he is nowhere near done working hard to ensure his role with the team going forward.
Finding a place in the NFL was an uphill climb for Adam Thielen. The undrafted free agent from Minnesota State University, Mankato fought hard to earn an invitation to Minnesota Vikings training camp in 2013 and has been fighting ever since.
Through hard work and dedication, Thielen has risen from relative obscurity during his 3 season with the Vikings to become a starting wide receiver during the 2016 NFL season. His efforts also landed him a nice 4 year deal with the Vikings worth over $19 million, and even more if he reaches certain escalators in his contract.
Recently, Adam Thielen spoke with the Pioneer Press about his massive 2016 season and some of the things he can do to help make 2017 a success:
"“We were able to develop that trust last year, but now it’s a new year, so I’ve got to develop that again this year,” Thielen said. “Us receivers, we have to develop that with all the quarterbacks, and it’s not an easy thing to do. If you’re not on the same page, bad things can happen really quick. But that’s why we’re out here. That’s what OTAs are for – to build that trust and that chemistry and get fluid for the season.”"
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Always looking ahead, Thielen hasn’t celebrated his rise within the Vikings organization or allowed his impressive 967 receiving yard total from last year make his ego grow. Instead, in typical fashion, the wide receiver and special teams ace keeps working hard to ensure he keeps improving and earning his role with the team.
"“I’m waiting until I’m done playing to reflect,” Thielen said at the Vikings’ organized team activities last week. “I’ve got too much to work on, too many big goals, to reflect on anything. I’m just going to come out here everyday and try to get better and bring the same mindset I’ve brought since I got to the league.”"
For Thielen to come close to reaching 1,000 receiving yards in 2017, he will need to have significant playing time. With veterans like Michael Floyd and Jarius Wright in that competition and Laquon Treadwell is also looking to make a big leap in production this season. Based on the competition alone, he may not get the same number of targets from Sam Bradford as he did in 2016.
Next: Vikings 2017 schedule breakdown
Whether or not Thielen has a massive statistical season in 2017 isn’t really important. Both the Minnesota Vikings organization and the franchise know that he will make the most of the opportunities given to him because he has earned them and continues to work hard to prove to everyone, including himself, that he has a home with the Vikings.