Minnesota parted with two draft picks to reunite with Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen on Wednesday.
The Panthers will receive a 2026 fifth-round draft pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick in the deal, with the Vikings receiving a seventh-round pick in 2026 and a fifth-rounder in 2027.
The Vikings announced the trade on social media, writing “BACK WHERE HE BELONGS!!”
A possession receiver, Thielen began his career as an undrafted free agent in 2013 and played in games with Minnesota from 2014-22.
Wide receiver became a pressing need for Minnesota during training camp.
Jordan Addison was handed a three-game suspension stemming from a 2024 DUI citation, Justin Jefferson (hamstring) and Jalen Nailor (hand) are slowed by injuries, and Rondale Moore was lost for the season due to a left knee injury.
Minnesota begins its season Sept. 8 in the opening “Monday Night Football” at NFC North-rival Chicago.
Thielen, 35, missed seven games last season after sustaining a hamstring injury while laying out to reel in a 31-yard touchdown reception in the Panthers’ 36-22 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 22.
He finished with 48 catches on 62 targets for 615 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games (all starts) during his second season with the Panthers.
The two-time Pro Bowl selection has 685 receptions for 8,311 yards and 64 touchdowns in 162 regular-season games (128 starts).
–Field Level Media
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