The Carolina Panthers are signing former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen to a three-year deal. There was interest from the Kansas City Chiefs to sign the veteran wide receiver, but ultimately he heads to Carolina. Thielen has spent his entire NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings but was released by the team to start the NFL offseason. Carolina traded away their number one wide receiver DJ Moore to acquire the number one overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and had a massive need at the position. For now, Thielen figures to be their top option heading into the season.
Breaking: FA WR Adam Thielen is signing with the #Panthers, source tells @theScore.
An All-Pro in 2017 with the #Vikings, Thielen went undrafted in 2013 out of Division II Minnesota State. Big time career continues in Carolina. pic.twitter.com/HErwj3gUr4
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 19, 2023
This past season with the Minnesota Vikings, Adam Thielen caught 70 passes for 716 yards and six touchdowns on 107 targets. He also carried the ball one time for four yards and zero rushing touchdowns. While he was still a top option for Minnesota, with the young talent behind him it made sense the team would pick the veteran as a cap cut. Not only should he be the best receiver in Carolina, and he will also be an excellent mentor for the franchise’s younger offensive players. It is unclear who will start at quarterback next season for the Panthers.
While the team will likely draft a quarterback with the number one overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, he may not start this season. The option is there to stash and develop him while newly signed veteran Andy Dalton starts for the Panthers this season. Carolina also has 2022 NFL Draft third-round pick Matt Corral who was hurt last offseason and has not played for the team yet. Adam Thielen could have several people throwing to him this season with the Panthers.
