The Viking Age
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Adam Thielen’s incredible journey with the Minnesota Vikings

By Jordan Schmidt

SEATTLE, WA - AUGUST 18: Wide receiver Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings rushes against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on August 18, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - AUGUST 18: Wide receiver Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings rushes against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on August 18, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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Adam Thielen, has worked his way from being an undrafted, special teams role player into the number two wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings.

Adam Thielen played his college ball at Minnesota State University (Mankato). The same place the Minnesota Vikings’ training camp has been held for the past 52 seasons. Thielen finished his college career in 2012.

Coming out of college, the small-school wide receiver didn’t get the same chance as other receivers. He had to go to regional combines in order to get NFL scouts to see him instead of the NFL combine. After going undrafted in the 2013 NFL draft, the Vikings signed him as an undrafted free-agent.

(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) Adam Thielen
(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) Adam Thielen /

Thielen was on the bottom of the totem pole for the Vikings’ wide receivers. He would not make the 53-man roster in 2013 but stayed with the team on the Vikings’ practice squad.

Hard work and dedication during the off-season and preseason paid off for Thielen in 2014. Thielen earned his spot and playing time with the special teams. His first NFL touchdown came on special teams in Week 13 of the 2014 season. Thielen blocked a punt against the Carolina Panthers and scooped it up for a 30-yard touchdown.


His performance against the Panthers earned him the honor of being named that week’s NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.

Thielen continued to thrive on special teams in 2015. He was honored as the Vikings’ Special Teams Player of the Year. His seven special team tackles ranked second on the team in 2015. He also helped the Vikings clinch the NFC North with a run on a fake punt against the Packers on January 3.

"Getting tricky!#Vikings convert on a fake punt to @athielen19. #MINvsGBhttps://t.co/ksoL6iuEdV— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) January 4, 2016"

Thielen broke out in his third season with the Vikings in 2016. The Minnesota born wide receiver had career-high totals with 69 receptions, 967 receiving yards, and five touchdowns. The three games that really stood out for him were against the Houston Texans (Week 5), Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 14) and Green Bay (Week 16).

The game against the Packers was Thielen’s breakout game at wide receiver. He had 202 yards receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Playing for a coach like Mike Zimmer, you must be willing to accept your playing role, give your all on every play, and never give up. Thielen is a prime example of all those characteristics, which is how he has worked his way into the number two wide receiver role entering the 2017 season.

Next: Top 5 takeaways from the Vikings' second preseason game

Vikings’ fans hope he builds off his career season this year and continues his incredible journey in the NFL as a former undrafted free-agent.

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