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Adam Thielen is no longer a member of the Minnesota Vikings.
A peculiar situation for the Minnesota fan-favorite wide receiver ended Monday when the team waived the 35-year-old after he asked to finish his NFL career elsewhere before retiring.
Thielen and the Vikings confirmed the news in social media posts Monday, with Thielen releasing a statement saying this will be his final season in the NFL.
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Because the Vikings are now 4-8 and have very little chance of making the playoffs, Thielen wants to go to a team that could use some receiver depth for a hopeful Super Bowl run.
“This is tremendously difficult for me to write, and certainly not how any of us envision it going,” Thielen’s statement began. “As a Minnesota native, putting on this uniform over the years and representing this community both 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 playing in the National Football League. Given that, the Vikings gave me the opportunity to compete elsewhere in the final few 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 Minnesota State, it’s a tough decision to look elsewhere to finish his career.
In 2014, Thielen got his first crack at the NFL with the Vikings, where he would eventually develop into 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.
Thielen then 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 tallied 1,373 yards with nine touchdowns over 16 games for Minnesota.
When Justin Jefferson was drafted by the Vikings and clearly became one of the best receivers in the game, Thielen shifted to a WR2 role, although he remained an important part of the Vikings’ offensive formula.
Adam Thielen of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before the Chicago Bears game at US Bank Stadium on Nov. 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 squad. After a 10-game season for him in 2024 with the Panthers, Thielen returned to his Vikings for his 12th season.
With Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor and TJ Hockenson all needing passes thrown to them, Thielen had been in a depth 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 on Sunday.
It’s unknown where Thielen might land now in the NFL, though he will be available to add once he clears waivers.
That 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]COW [head coach Kevin O’Connell], [executive vice president] Rob [Brzezinski] and everyone in the Vikings organization for bringing us back in August. This organization means the world to us from the top down and this locker room is full of true professionals.
Adam Thielen of the Minnesota Vikings before the Chicago Bears game at US Bank Stadium on Nov. 16, 2025 in Minneapolis. (David Berding/Getty Images)
“With gratitude and love, and I return to retire!”
Adofo-Mensah issued a statement through the Vikings’ social media that praised everything Thielen had done for the organization.
“After discussions over the weekend and out of respect for Adam, we have agreed to give him the opportunity to pursue more playing time elsewhere. Adam is one of the Vikings’ all-time greats and we wish him and his family continued success.”
