Vikings release Adam Thielen at his request to finish NFL career elsewhere before retiring

The Minnesota Vikings have announced the departure of longtime wide receiver Adam Thielen for the second time in his career. On Monday, the team released the 35-year-old veteran, honoring his request to continue playing with another franchise before retiring.

Both Thielen and the Vikings confirmed the move through social media. According to the team, Thielen expressed a desire to spend the final stage of his NFL career in a more competitive environment, and the Vikings decided to respect his wishes. Thielen stated that this season will be his last in the league and that he hopes to compete during the remaining weeks of his career.

#Skol https://t.co/PmpGmts9lr pic.twitter.com/AAZl4B0q6j Adam Thielen (@athielen19) December 1, 2025

While Thielen did not explicitly mention a championship goal, it is widely believed he hopes to chase a Super Bowl before retiring. With the Vikings struggling to a 4-8 record this season and playoff contention out of reach, Thielen will likely seek a team still in the hunt.

This season, Thielen's involvement in the Vikings' offense has been limited. Over 11 games, he has recorded eight receptions for 69 yards. Although he may not start for a contender, he could offer valuable depth for a team preparing for the playoffs. His ability to join another team will depend on how franchises evaluate his remaining skills and experience.

During his prime years from 2016 to 2022, Thielen averaged nearly 1,000 receiving yards and 7.7 touchdowns per season. He earned two Pro Bowl selections and was named second-team All-Pro in 2017. Even as his yardage declined later in that period, he remained a strong red-zone threat, recording 14 touchdowns in 15 games in 2020 and 10 touchdowns in 13 games in 2021.

After the 2022 season, Thielen signed a three-year deal with the Carolina Panthers, achieving over 1,000 receiving yards in his first year. Following a less productive 2024 season, he returned to the Vikings via a trade involving draft picks. However, with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison leading the depth chart, Thielen has not been a major offensive factor in Minnesota.

If NFL teams believe Thielen still has contributions to make, he may yet pursue a championship before retiring. Alternatively, injuries or roster changes could create an opportunity for him to compete for a Super Bowl in his final season.

Author: Sophia Brooks