After news that former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen retired from the NFL, some wondered what went into the decision.
Thielen announced his retirement from the NFL on Instagram after 12 years with the Vikings, Carolina Panthers, and Pittsburgh Steelers. During a recent appearance on "The Christian Kuntz Podcast," Thielen opened up about his final season in the NFL and the difficulty of having to play off the bench as a backup.
“I wanted to make sure I was ending my career playing the game I love. I wouldn’t have played another year if I had thought I was going to be a backup.”
Adam Thielen struggled with being on the bench in final season with Minnesota Vikings
It wasn't only tough on Thielen to be a backup in his last year, but for Vikings fans as well, who felt that the end of his career was coming. There were some questions as to why it happened, but it doesn't take away from his journey.
Thielen's story is one of the most incredible to ever be a part of the franchise, as the hometown boy from Minnesota grew up loving the Vikings and ended up going to college at Minnesota State. After a successful college career, Thielen went undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft and signed with the Vikings.
From that point, Thielen proved to the NFL that he belonged in the league and made a huge impression. In four years, he made his first Pro Bowl in 2017 and would go back-to-back with a second selection in 2018. During that 2017 season, he was named a second-team All-Pro as well.
After 10 non-consecutive seasons in Minnesota, Thielen finished third in franchise history in receiving touchdowns (55), fourth in receptions (542), and fifth in receiving yards (6,751). He finished with three seasons of over 1,000 yards and two seasons with 10 or more touchdowns. His career-highs were 113 receptions and 1,373 yards in 2018 and 14 touchdowns in 2020.
Before the 2025 season, Thielen had played for the Carolina Panthers, then was traded to the Vikings prior to the regular season. After just eight catches for 69 yards in 11 games, Minnesota granted Thielen his release to play for a contender, and shortly afterwards, he joined the Pittsburgh Steelers. He finished with 11 catches for 117 yards in the last five games of the regular season with Pittsburgh.
Thielen might be living with some regret about playing if he knew what was coming, but for Vikings fans, it was nostalgic to see him back in the purple uniforms. It was also closure to know that he could at least finish his career where it all started, even if it wasn't a picture-perfect close to a great career.