Analysis
3/9/23
2 min read
Report: Vikings Might Part Ways With Thielen in Coming Days
The Minnesota Vikings could soon move on from one of their best pass-catching options.
The Vikings might part ways with wide receiver Adam Thielen in the coming days, making the two-time Pro Bowler a free agent, ESPN reported Thursday. The two sides will continue to discuss Thielen's future in Minnesota, but his time there could end before the start of the new league year on March 15.
Thielen's salary for the 2023 season becomes guaranteed on March 17, but the Vikings can cut him after June 1 to save $13.4 million in cap space while accruing $6.5 million in dead cap for 2023 and $7 million in dead cap for 2024.
The Vikings are more than $15 million over the cap, according to Over The Cap, so clearing Thielen's cap hit could go a long way toward making them cap compliant. Minnesota also has to consider how much money it wants to spend on its wide receivers, with reigning Offensive Player of the Year Justin Jefferson now eligible for an extension.
Thielen, 32, had 70 catches last year for 716 yards and six touchdowns. He has the fifth-most receiving touchdowns in the NFL during the past three seasons (30). Thielen was an undrafted free agent out of nearby Minnesota State in 2013, but impressed the Vikings so much at a rookie tryout and evaluation session that he signed a one-year contract before earning a practice squad spot.
In 2018, Thielen broke the record for most consecutive 100-yard games (eight) to start a season in NFL history.Â
If the Vikings release Thielen, the long-productive receiver figures to have a competitive market, with both the free agent and NFL Draft receiver groups looking worse than in previous seasons.
