Vikings to release Adam Thielen on Friday

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The Vikings are moving on from longtime receiver Adam Thielen.

Thielen will be released on Friday, according to multiple reports.

There was some thought that Thielen could restructure his deal to remain with Minnesota in 2023. He was slated to carry a $20 million cap hit.

But instead, Thielen will have a clean break and become a free agent. Because he’s being released, Thielen will be eligible to sign with any team immediately instead of when the new league year begins next week.

Thielen ends his time with the Vikings No. 4 on the franchise’s all-time list with 6,682 receiving yards, No. 3 with 534 receptions, and No. 3 with 55 touchdown receptions.

If the Vikings release Thielen with a post-June 1 designation to spread out the cap hit, they’d save $13.4 million against the cap in 2023 with $6.6 million in dead money.

57 responses to “Vikings to release Adam Thielen on Friday

  1. Sorry to see him go. Solid player and a class act. Best to you, Adam… we loved having you around.

  2. Sad to see him go, but totally understandable. Just please don’t sign with the Packers.

  3. This is when the business side of things sucks. AT19 was always a class act on and off the field. One of my favorite Vikings ever. Wishing him nothing but the best. Thank you for the memories Adam.

  4. Sad to see him go, But it is a business, and all about making wise decisions regarding players, and spending money.
    I wish him all the best.
    I’m sure he will be picked up very soon.

  5. I suppose it’s possible Thelen was more banged up last season than we understood, but it’s just as likely he is now at least one season past his prime and on the wrong side of 30 to be productive target.

  6. The Vikings are the best run organization in the NFL. This is another example of the Vikings organization playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers

  7. I’m sure he saw this coming as far back as last year. There’s no way he could have thought the Vikings would carry $20 mil on him for this year. It would have been shocking if he stayed.

  8. itendtoknowitall says:
    March 10, 2023 at 10:18 am
    The Vikings are the best run organization in the NFL. This is another example of the Vikings organization playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers

    —_~~~~~~

    😂

  9. itendtoknowitall says:
    March 10, 2023 at 10:18 am
    The Vikings are the best run organization in the NFL. This is another example of the Vikings organization playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers

    Yes, they are the smartest organization in the NFL. Far too smart to win a Super Bowl.

  10. 400marios says:
    March 10, 2023 at 10:15 am
    Dude could walk into the #1 role in Green Bay
    ______________

    Christian Watson can run circles around Adam. No disrespect intended toward Thielen.

  11. Not unexpected and makes business sense but always sad to see a guy who’s done so well for the franchise head for the exit door.

  12. Viking fans when:
    Packers release Jordy Nelson – “What shoddy treatment of a loyal player!”
    Vikings release Adam Thielen – “Sad, but it’s a business and he’s old.”

  13. Some team will sign one of the best people in the NFL, plus he can play.
    Thanks for the years we’ll see you back here when you retire.

  14. Great human, great ball player. I totally understand the move, but it was not talent or decline so much as just a dollars and cents decision. We are in a bind with the cap at present, and this won’t be the last domino to fall by any means. Also, if you are a distant #2 on a team with Justin Jefferson, of course your production will suffer. I see him having a very nice year or two with his new team. Just hope its outside of the NFC North. Good luck 19!

  15. Wish Adam was willing to restructure- he’s 33 and not #1 WR so his cap hit shouldn’t be 20M. But to each his own (or his wife).

    Best of luck, Adam. You’ll always be a Viking.

  16. This team smh. Cap management=being forced to cut everyone. No wonder they’ve never won anything. Ever.

  17. As a Packers fan, I won’t be sad to see him go to another team. You don’t see many undrafted hopefuls become All-Pro players and he did it twice. Good luck to him wherever he ends up. He’s a class act and I hope he hooks up with another contender.

  18. pryrates2023 says:
    March 10, 2023 at 10:23 am
    Bill Belichick on line “never”.
    ————————————-
    Tell us all again how much BB is paying Nelson Agholor and what is production is. AT would easily be WR#1 on the Pats.

  19. All the best to Adam Thielen, no matter where he goes and does. Hopefully another team picks him up, he can still play.

  20. 33 + 20,000,000 = Goodbye. But if you ask his lady, we aren’t a loyal franchise.

  21. He leaves tied for the Vikings all time lead in Super Bowl rings won with a grand total of zero.

  22. At least we’ll always have that memory of him hoisting the Lombardi trophy . . . oh wait.

  23. gsds4ever says:
    March 10, 2023 at 10:25 am

    Lions on Line 1

    ——–

    The Lions still have some needs, but WR is not one of them. They are pretty stacked there.

  24. This one definitely hurts, the guy was basically Mr. Minnesota and one of the biggest inspirations for any young football player that gets written off while in college. But I get why it’s happening, sometimes the business part of the game just hurts more than other times

  25. Hey Adam, Glen Taylor here. I’ve been meaning to call you about a few endorsement deals. What’s that? You’re going to sign somewhere else? Oh, that’s too bad. Really wish you were sticking around a little longer. Could be really profitable for you

  26. gibson45 says:
    March 10, 2023 at 10:34 am
    400marios says:
    March 10, 2023 at 10:15 am
    Dude could walk into the #1 role in Green Bay
    ______________

    Christian Watson can run circles around Adam. No disrespect intended toward Thielen.
    __
    And then Watson can drop the pass

  27. Local guy who was a true inspiration to many kids who are learning the ropes. Good luck to you Adam, you will be missed.

  28. 1 year deal with Chiefs. Perfect smart, reliable, slot guy for Mahomes to replace Juju.

  29. It’s funny, no one is complaining about the Vikings not honoring the contract they signed with # 19.

  30. This one makes me a little sad. I expected it but his story and lifelong link to the Vikings are legend. I wish him nothing but success going forward.

  31. cheeseisfattening says:
    March 10, 2023 at 12:14 pm
    gibson45 says:
    March 10, 2023 at 10:34 am
    400marios says:
    March 10, 2023 at 10:15 am
    Dude could walk into the #1 role in Green Bay
    ______________

    Christian Watson can run circles around Adam. No disrespect intended toward Thielen.
    __
    And then Watson can drop the pass
    ———————

    Say what you will, but despite a very unfortunate first game mistake, along with being a little hampered by injuries, Christian Watson had a very productive rookie season.
    Officially, Watson was credited with 4 dropped passes on the season.
    He showed to be an efficient and ferocious blocker.
    And his upside is incredible.

    Of WRs with at least 60+ targets,
    Christian Watson
    Contested catch rate: 75% (1st in the NFL.)
    QB rating when targeted: 123.3 (1st in the NFL.)
    YAC/per reception: 6.3 (3rd in the NFL.)

    He still is a very raw and unrefined talent.
    Looking forward to next year.
    But, you know, keep on making your quips about him, whether they’re true or not.

  32. It was sad to see him morph into whiny punk the last couple seasons as his skills rapidly declined. Never seen a player whine more and demand a flag on every single snap that resulted in him not making a play. Absolutely insufferable. Had a great career though.

  33. Going to the Patriots would be the funniest because of all the love he and Belichick have shared together.

  34. Thielen was a solid player for many years. But it seems the Vikings were hooked on a Thielen, high on believing, that they’re in love with him.

    Good luck with your team team, and thank you.

  35. itendtoknowitall says:
    March 10, 2023 at 10:18 am
    The Vikings are the best run organization in the NFL. This is another example of the Vikings organization playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers
    ——————————————-
    Have the Vikings been playing chess for the last 46 seasons? You remember, the last time they sniffed a SB… and lost. Put those Lombardi Trophies next to the chess game, oh wait… none to be found.

  36. itendtoknowitall says:
    March 10, 2023 at 10:18 am
    The Vikings are the best run organization in the NFL. This is another example of the Vikings organization playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers

    ___________

    Sadly, playing chess hasn’t brought them any SB championships. Maybe they need to start playing football.

  37. I’m not a Vikings fan but Adam seemed like an all around good person.If he ended up signing with the Dolphins…..I would be ok with that

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