The Minnesota Vikings waived wide receiver Adam Thielen on Monday. Here are three NFL teams that should sign the veteran wideout.
Vikings Release Adam Thielen
#Skol https://t.co/PmpGmts9lr pic.twitter.com/AAZl4B0q6j
— Adam Thielen (@athielen19) December 1, 2025
2025 will be Thielen’s last season in the NFL. With the Vikings at 4-8, Thielen wants one last shot at a Super Bowl.
“Last week, Adam’s representation approached the team and asked if we would be willing to release Adam, expressing his desire to play a bigger role in the remaining weeks of what he has indicated will be his final NFL season,” Vikings’ general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said in a statement. “Following discussions through 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 all-time great Vikings, and we wish him and his family continued success.”
In a social media post, Thielen thanked the Vikings for giving him a chance to play for a contender.
“Since this past spring, I knew this was going to be my last season playing in the National Football League,” Thielen wrote on X. “Given that, the Vikings allowed me the opportunity to go compete elsewhere for the last few weeks of my career.
The Vikings signed an undrafted Thielen in 2013. The Minnesota native spent the next 10 seasons with the Vikings. During that timeframe, Thielen had two 1,000-yard seasons and three seasons of at least nine touchdowns, including a career-high 14 in 2020.
After the Vikings released Thielen in March 2023 for salary purposes, the wide receiver signed a three-year, $25 million contract with the Carolina Panthers.
Thielen accumulated 151 catches, 1,629 yards, and nine touchdowns in 27 games with the Panthers.
Before the 2025 season, the Panthers traded Thielen, a 2026 conditional seventh-round pick, and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Vikings for a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick.
Thielen has only eight catches for 69 yards in 11 games this season.
Thielen is now subject to waivers. If he goes unclaimed, he will become a free agent.
3 Teams That Should Sign Adam Thielen
The #Vikings have waived WR Adam Thielen. pic.twitter.com/ahAft1Wxv6
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 1, 2025
For the rest of the 2025 season, Thielen would prefer to play for a contender or at least a team that should make the playoffs.
The Buffalo Bills have not figured out the wide receiver position all season. Josh Allen has had a rotating cast of wide receivers, including Khalil Shakir, Joshua Palmer, Keon Coleman, Gabe Davis, and Brandin Cooks.
Thielen could provide a veteran presence and reliable hands for Allen.
The Denver Broncos are currently in first place in the AFC at 10-2. Courtland Sutton and Troy Franklin lead the Broncos wideouts. Outside of those two, Denver doesn’t have a true No. 3 wide receiver.
Pat Bryant and Marvin Mims Jr. have been competing for the No. 3 spot. Signing Thielen fixes that problem immediately.
The Philadelphia Eagles are on a downward spiral. After losing two straight games, the Eagles are 8-4 and only lead the red-hot Dallas Cowboys by a game and a half.
Philly’s offense has been uninspiring all season. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are talented receivers, but the Eagles have difficulty getting them the ball. Perhaps Thielen could take some pressure off that duo and provide Jalen Hurts with another option to open the offense up.
