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Adam Thielen is no longer a member of the Minnesota Vikings.
A peculiar situation for Minnesota’s fan-favorite wide receiver came to an end Monday, as the team waived the 35-year-old after he requested to finish his NFL career elsewhere before retiring.
Thielen and the Vikings confirmed the news Monday with social media posts, with Thielen releasing a statement saying this would be his final season in the NFL.
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Because the Vikings are now 4-8 and have very little chance of reaching the playoffs, Thielen wants to go to a team that could use some receiver depth for a hopeful run to the Super Bowl.
“This is extremely difficult for me to write and certainly not the way any of us imagine it to happen,” Thielen’s statement began. “As a Minnesota native, putting on this uniform over the years and representing this community on and off the field has always meant so much more to me. This team is in my bones, it’s in my heart, and it’s part of my DNA. I will ALWAYS be a Minnesota Viking.
“Since last spring, I knew this would be my last season in the National Football League. Given that, the Vikings gave me the opportunity to go compete elsewhere for the final weeks of my career.”
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As Thielen mentioned, being from Minnesota and having joined his home state’s team as an undrafted free agent out of the state of Minnesota, it’s a tough decision to look elsewhere to finish his career.
In 2014, Thielen made his first start in the NFL with the Vikings, where he would eventually become one of the team’s top pass-catching options. In 2016, he had a breakout season with 967 receiving yards on 69 receptions with five touchdowns.
Then, Thielen had back-to-back Pro Bowl campaigns in 2017 and 2018, totaling at least 1,276 yards and four touchdowns in each. His best year came in 2018, when he passed for 1,373 yards with nine touchdowns in 16 games for Minnesota.
While Justin Jefferson was drafted by the Vikings and clearly became one of the best receivers in the game, Thielen moved into a WR2 role, although he remained a vital part of the Vikings’ offensive formula.
Adam Thielen of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before the Chicago Bears game at US Bank Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Minneapolis. (Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images)
In 2023, however, Thielen signed with the Carolina Panthers after nine seasons with the Vikings. Carolina remained a rebuilding team, but Thielen passed for 1,014 yards with four touchdowns in 17 games in his first season with the team. After a 10-game season for him in 2024 with the Panthers, Thielen returns to his Vikings for his 12th season.
With Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor and TJ Hockenson all needing passes, Thielen has played an important role with the Vikings, who also haven’t found consistency at quarterback with JJ McCarthy, Carson Wentz and now Max Brosmer struggling in his debut Sunday.
It’s unclear where Thielen might land now in the NFL, although he is available to add once he clears waivers.
That being said, Thielen promised the Vikings faithful that he would return at some point to ensure he retires with the team he has always loved.
“Minnesota will always be our home and we are incredibly grateful to the Wilf family, [general manager] Kwesi [Adofo-Mensah]KO [head coach Kevin O’Connell], [executive vice president] Fly [Brzezinski] and everyone in the Vikings organization for getting us back to August. This organization means the world to us from top to bottom and this locker room is filled with true professionals.
Adam Thielen of the Minnesota Vikings before the Chicago Bears game at US Bank Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Minneapolis. (David Berding/Getty Images)
“With gratitude and love and I will come back to retire!”
Adofo-Mensah released a statement on Vikings social media, which praised everything Thielen had done for the organization.
“After discussions throughout the weekend and out of respect for Adam, we have agreed to give him the opportunity to play longer elsewhere. Adam is one of the greatest Vikings of all time, and we wish him and his family continued success.”
