Just about everyone knows at this point that the Minnesota Vikings would love to bring wide receiver Adam Thielen back to the team for the 2025 NFL season. However, that would mean the Carolina Panthers would need to be willing to give him up.
So far, that's not a situation that seems likely. The Vikings have been accumulating draft picks lately and have compensation if Carolina is willing to get a deal done, but the veteran wide receiver seems to be stuck with the Panthers.
Minnesota could really use Thielen's help this season after a season-ending injury to Rondale Moore in the preseason, and a three-game suspension for Jordan Addison left the depth chart less than ideal for the upcoming season.
The Carolina Panthers don't seem to want to budge when it comes to trading wide receiver Adam Thielen to the Minnesota Vikings
The Panthers' trading Adam Thielen to the Minnesota Vikings got even less likely on Tuesday when Carolina decided to release another experienced pass-catcher, and that move likely means Thielen isn't going to be moved.
The Panthers moving on from Hunter Renfrow would seem to suggest they are keeping Adam Thielen. But things are always fluid this time of year.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 26, 2025
Normally, moving on from a player like Hunter Renfrow wouldn't be much of a factor, but the wide receiver room for the Panthers is extremely young and could benefit from Adam Thielen's veteran leadership.
Of course, there is still hope that a deal can be done to reunite the Vikings and Thielen, but the asking price is likely quite high, and Minnesota doesn't have a veteran on their roster they could move who could fill his role in Carolina.
For fans hoping to see Adam Thielen in a purple and gold jersey again, this is a disheartening development. Now, the team must continue to evaluate other options while continuing to try to negotiate a reasonable asking price for Thielen.
Minnesota will need to look everywhere. With roster cuts happening, a skilled veteran pass catcher might become available that the Vikings wouldn't need to spend draft capital on to acquire for the 2025 NFL season.
Of course, the Vikings could also seek other trade options throughout the league and hope to find a pass-catcher that can complement Justin Jefferson and create a rapport with first-year starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
It is a bit frustrating that getting Adam Thielen back with the Minnesota Vikings seems so unlikely now. Fans would love to see him back with the team, and it would be amazing to bring the Minnesota native home for the 2025 NFL season.