Eagan, Minn. , The Vikings waived veteran receiver Adam Thielen on Monday and released the following statement from general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah:
“Last week, Adam’s representation contacted the team and asked if we were willing to release Adam, given his desire to play a larger role in the remaining weeks of what he has indicated will be his final NFL season. After discussion over the weekend and out of respect for Adam, we have agreed to give him an opportunity to play elsewhere. Adam is one of the greatest Vikings of all-time, and we wish him and his family continued success.”
Thielen posted the following comments on social media:
This is extremely difficult for me to write and certainly not something any of us could have imagined happening.
As a Minnesota native, wearing this uniform over the years and representing this community both on and off the field has always meant a lot 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.
Last spring, I knew this would be my last season playing in the National Football League. Given this, the Vikings offered me the opportunity to compete elsewhere for the last few weeks of my career.
Minnesota will always be our home, and we are incredibly grateful to the Wilf family, Kwesi, Keough and everyone in the Vikings organization for welcoming us back in August. This organization means the world to us from top to bottom and this locker room is full of true professionals.
With gratitude and love I will return to retire!
Because the move is after the trade deadline, Thielen will go through the waiver process through which another team can claim him. If he goes unclaimed, he will be cleared to sign with any team.
Entering the 2025 season with lofty goals (and knowing that Jordan Addison would miss the first three games of the season), Minnesota brought Thielen back home before the season in a trade with Carolina.
The Vikings received a conditional 2026 seventh-round selection and a 2027 fifth-round selection in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round selection and a 2027 fourth-round selection.
Thielen started four of 11 games in his second Vikings stint. He caught eight passes for 69 yards on 18 targets with a long target of 19. Six of the eight catches resulted in first downs, and he also caught a 2-point conversion pass in Minnesota’s Week 1 comeback win in Chicago. However, the Vikings were unable to maintain that early momentum.
Thielen, who is seven shy of 700 catches for his career, was inactive Sunday when Minnesota visited Seattle and falls to 4-8 on the season.
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