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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, when 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 with social media posts on Monday, and Thielen released 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 a very slim chance of making the playoffs, Thielen wants to target a team that could use some receiver depth to have any hopes of making the Super Bowl.
“It is tremendously difficult for me to write this and it is certainly not how any of us imagine it happening,” 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 was going to be my last season playing in the National Football League. Given that, the Vikings gave me the opportunity to compete elsewhere during the final weeks of my career.”
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As Thielen mentioned, being from Minnesota and having joined his home state 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 opportunity 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 great 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 gained 1,373 yards with nine touchdowns in 16 games for Minnesota.
When 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 piece of the Vikings’ offensive formula.
Adam Thielen of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before the 2025 NFL game against the Chicago Bears at US Bank Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images)
However, in 2023, Thielen signed with the Carolina Panthers after nine seasons with the Vikings. Carolina remained a rebuilding team, but Thielen had 1,014 yards with four touchdowns in 17 games in his first season with the team. After a 10-game stint for himself in 2024 with the Panthers, Thielen returned to his Vikings for his 12th season.
With Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor and TJ Hockenson needing passes, Thielen had been in a depth role with the Vikings, who have also not found consistency at quarterback with JJ McCarthy, Carson Wentz and now Max Brosmer struggling in his debut on Sunday.
Where Thielen will land next in the NFL is unknown, although he will be available to add once he clears waivers.
That being said, Thielen promised the Vikings faithful that he will return at some point to ensure he retires with the team he 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] Steal [Brzezinski] And everyone in the Vikings organization for bringing us back in August. This organization means a lot to us from the top down and this locker room is full of true professionals.
Adam Thielen of the Minnesota Vikings watches before the start of the game against the Chicago Bears at US Bank Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (David Berding/Getty Images)
“With gratitude and love and I will return to retire!”
Adofo-Mensah released a statement via the Vikings’ social media, praising everything Thielen had done for the organization.
“Following discussions over the weekend and out of respect for Adam, we have agreed to give him the opportunity to seek further playing time elsewhere. Adam is one of the great Vikings of all time and we wish him and his family continued success.”
