Veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen announced on Wednesday that he is retiring from pro football. The two-time Pro Bowl wideout played 12 seasons for the Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, and Pittsburgh Steelers. Here is a look back at Thielen’s NFL career.
Adam Thielen By the Numbers
Over Thielen’s 12 seasons, he amassed some pretty impressive totals. The 35-year-old signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent out of Minnesota State University in 2013. For his career, he caught 704 passes for 8497 yards and 64 touchdowns. He also had 22 rushes for 178 yards and one touchdown. His reception total is the fourth most in NFL history for an undrafted player.
Thielen, at his peak, was a beast for the Vikings. He went to back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2018 and 2018. During those two seasons he put up a combined 204 receptions for 2649 yards and 13 TDs. Injuries plagued him the following year, but he returned to form in 2020 and 2021 to haul in a combined 24 touchdowns in 28 games. Perhaps even more impressive was that he put up all those touchdowns while playing with Justin Jefferson as the team’s primary target during those two years.
Thielen ranks fourth in Vikings history in receptions, fifth in receiving yards, and third in touchdowns. Only Jefferson and Cris Carter had more catches in a season for the Vikings than Thielen’s 113 in 2018.
Adam Thielen’s Final Years
After a 70-catch season for Minnesota in 2022, Thielen signed with Carolina. There, he had a resurgent 2023, putting up 103 catches for 1014 yards and four touchdowns for a Panther team that only had 2741 yards through the air and only won two games. Unfortunately, hamstring issues plagued him the following year, limiting him to just 10 games and 48 catches for 615 and five TDs.
This season, Thielen reunited with the Vikings. With injuries and Jordan Addison’s suspension, Minnesota needed a veteran presence in its receiver room. He was released by the Vikings after seeing very limited action in 11 games and finished the season with the Steelers. Between the two teams, he managed just 19 grabs for 186 yards.
Adam Thielen’s Legacy
Vikings fans will not soon forget Thielen’s contributions to the franchise. His pairing with Jefferson gave Minnesota one of the best 1-2 wideout pairings in the league, and his veteran leadership was key for a team full of young skill position players. Kudos to Thielen on a productive 12 years, and best wishes as he transitions to his next stage in life.
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