Adam Thielen, wide receiver
- 2023 cap hit: $19,967,647
- Savings in 2023 if released; $6,417,647
It’s a little hard to imagine the Minnesota Vikings without Adam Thielen, but that could be a reality in 2023. With a cap hit of nearly $20M, it would be hard for the team to justify paying him based on his performance.
Thielen is a quality receiver, but he was a bit disappointing in 2022 after registering his second-worst season in terms of yards per game at 42.1 and his career-worst in yards per reception and yards per target with 10.2 and 6.7 respectively.
Of course, the Viking pass offense is all about Justin Jefferson these days. However, Thielen still needs to be a reliable second option and he saw that role be overtaken by recently acquired tight end T. J. Hockenson.
Considering the large amount of dead cap if he is cut, the Vikings would likely try to trade Adam Thielen before outright releasing him. A restructure or pay cut isn’t out of the question either to keep him with the team