Break those No. 19 jerseys out because it actually happened. Adam Thielen is returning to where it all began, as the Minnesota Vikings reportedly acquired the veteran wide receiver in a trade with the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
In order to bring Thielen back to his home state of Minnesota, the Vikings sent the Panthers a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick. In addition to the veteran pass-catcher, Minnesota also received a a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick from Carolina.
Minnesota has developed a big need for wide receiver help during the last few weeks, and Thielen should be able to step in and immediately make a difference. All will feel right again when No. 19 steps on the field in Week 1 in a purple and gold jersey for the first time since the 2022 season.
Minnesota Vikings acquire Adam Thielen in trade with Carolina Panthers
Despite Thielen not being a member of the Vikings for the last two seasons, he's actually caught plenty of passes from Minnesota quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
In each of the past two summers, McCarthy and Thielen have taken part in throwing sessions together at a local Minnesota high school. It might not seem like much, but both players having at least a familiarity with one another should help make any sort of adjustment period go smoothly.
With Thielen just turning 35 on Friday and being in the final year of his current contract, there's also a good possibility that the 2025 season could potentially be his last in the NFL.
If all goes well, the Detroit Lakes, Minnesota native can help the Vikings contend in the NFC this year and possibly even compete for a spot in the Super Bowl. What a storybook ending that would be for Thielen's pro career if his final year in the NFL is spent helping the Vikings win the franchise's first-ever Super Bowl ring.
Let's not get ahead of ourselves right now, though (even though it's a lot of fun). Step one for Thielen in his second stint with Minnesota is to help the team open up the 2025 season with a big divisional road win in a primetime matchup against the Chicago Bears.