The more Minnesota Vikings fans see quarterback J.J. McCarthy putting in the work, the more belief there is that he's the real deal. His most recent workout appearance isn't what is grabbing everyone's attention, though.
Photos have been making the rounds on social media recently with the caption "Clocked in", featuring two players: McCarthy and Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen.
Clocked in. @athielen19 x @jjmccarthy09 pic.twitter.com/4bID92e0iG
— UNRL (@unrlco) July 16, 2025
Is a reunion between Adam Thielen and the Minnesota Vikings possible?
Vikings fans must have known what the topic was going to be next with McCarthy and Thielen working out together. It has to turn to the dream of seeing Thielen back in the purple uniforms like it should have always been.
While he was on the practice squad in 2013, Thielen made his first appearance on the field for the Vikings in 2014, marking the beginning of a nine-year career. He made two Pro Bowls with the Vikings, with both of those seasons being 1,000-yard years.
Since leaving Minnesota during the 2023 offseason, he has found success with the Panthers, having had a 1,000-yard season in 2023 and pacing for another last year, but he missed seven games due to injuries. He's collected 1,629 yards and nine touchdowns in two seasons in Carolina.
It may seem like a bit of a stretch to some, but a possible reunion between the Vikings and Thielen isn't completely out of the picture.
Minnesota is already solid with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison as the team's top two receivers. But that WR3 spot is wide open between Jalen Nailor, rookie Tai Felton, and free agent signing Rondale Moore.
Currently, Nailor is projected to win that job after holding that position last season. Thielen would easily be able to fit right back into Kevin O'Connell's offense and be the reliable third-down receiver McCarthy would need.
His contract situation is also affordable for Minnesota, as Thielen is on the last year of his deal with Carolina with a cap hit of $10 million that could be negotiated between the Vikings and Panthers. At age 34, the Panthers would probably just ask for anything between a fifth-round and a seventh-round pick to let Thielen go in the deal.
Would Carolina easily let their top receiver walk despite having Tetairoa McMillan there? Maybe, maybe not. A good deal could make the move happen.
It's one that Minnesota should consider, especially if McCarthy is showing how comfortable he already is with Thielen, that feels like a move that should be made to ease the new starter in.