The Minnesota Vikings have released wide receiver Adam Thielen, which brings to an end his storied tenure in Minnesota, where he was born and played college at Minnesota State Mankato, and become a fan favorite with the Vikings.
Thielen signed with the team in 2013 after serving as a tryout player at rookie minicamp and would go on to have more career catches (534) than any player in team history other than Cris Carter and Randy Moss, both of whom are members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, by the end of the 2022 season.
“Adam’s story is one many know and admire and an incredible example of what a relentless pursuit of a goal can ultimately accomplish,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said in a statement. “For over a decade, Adam honed his craft to become one of the most well-recognized wide receivers in the NFL. Over that same time, he poured so much of his time into his home state, which made it even more special for him to earn our 2022 Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination. I personally leaned on Adam for his work ethic, leadership and counsel multiple times to help get our team where we wanted it to be last season.”
Thielen has been losing targets in the offense, with focus going towards younger players such as Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson, and coupled with his contract that imposed a $19.97 million cap number for 2023, the Vikings made the decision to release him.
“Adam will forever be a part of the Minnesota Vikings family and history,” Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said in a statement Friday. “Setting the standard with his play on the field, being a selfless teammate, and making a permanent impact in the community, Adam’s influence is significant. We are grateful for everything he brought to the Vikings organization since arriving in 2013, and I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to work with him over the last year. He is the best representation of what the Minnesota Vikings should stand for.”
Thielen expressed his desire to end his career with the Vikings but still wants to show that he can play at a high level as well.
