Panthers spin on Thielen trade

[Montana Tom]

CHARLOTTE — The Panthers parlayed their depth at wide receiver and ability to develop there into a deal that adds to their future draft capital.

Wednesday morning, the team agreed to trade veteran wideout Adam Thielen to the Vikings for a collection of future picks.

The Panthers will receive a 2026 fifth-rounder and a 2027 fourth-rounder from the Vikings.

They'll give the Vikings Thielen, a conditional 2026 seventh-rounder, and a 2027 fifth-rounder.

That's effectively the value of a fourth-round pick, which the Vikings didn't have at the moment.

Thielen, who just turned 35, caught 103 passes for the Panthers in 2023, after signing here as a free agent. Despite missing seven games with a hamstring injury last year, he added another 48 catches for 615 yards and five touchdowns.

He spent his first nine seasons with the Vikings, catching 534 passes for 6,682 yards and 55 touchdowns, and going to two Pro Bowls.

The Panthers kept seven wide receivers on their initial 53-man roster.

They still have first-round picks Xavier Legette and Tetairoa McMillan, along with Jalen Coker, David Moore, Brycen Tremayne, and Jimmy Horn Jr..

[JR44]

They needed to move on to their first round picks and have good depth behind them, so it seems like we had more leverage than to have given up what we did.

[Montana Tom]

They needed to move on to their first round picks and have good depth behind them, so it seems like we had more leverage than to have given up what we did.

Potentially yes.  They spun it like they got an extra 4th rounder out of the deal.
We're simply exchanging 5th round picks and they get a 4th rounder for a 7th rounder from us...between 2026 and 2027.  And we get Thielen, and pick up the rest of his salary.
I'm good with it.

[Kentis]

Here’s the Thielen spin: 

Thielen Family Goes Crazy After Hearing About Trade to Vikings 

https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minne...o-vikings/
Warning: cute family videos!

[MaroonBells]

They needed to move on to their first round picks and have good depth behind them, so it seems like we had more leverage than to have given up what we did.

I wouldn't call what they have good depth. T-Mac is a 1st rounder with high expectations. After that, WR2 is Legette who, while a 1st rounder a year ago, has not really done much. Jalen Nailor out-produced him last year. After that it's a bunch of crap no different than our crap. I think they really wanted to keep Adam unless they were given reasonably high comp. Thielen definitely would've been WR2 or 3 for them. And don't forget, they paid his bonus in the spring, so it's not like he was on the way out. 

The Vikings are a Super Bowl contender who was staring at the prospect of Tim Jones starting opposite Jefferson for the first three games. Panthers had the leverage here.

[medaille]

I think a lot of how they would feel is dependent on how much you value his contribution to Young’s growth. He’s unlikely to still be contributing by the time that they are contending, so in that context it makes sense for them to get more draft capital which they can use on players who will be there at that time. For me, I think that it’s a bad move for them, because I do think Thielen being on their team in 2025 probably helps both Young and the youthful and unproven WR’s advance their development faster than if he wasn’t there.

[greediron]

I read that as the 5th they gave us is not a conditional, only the 7th is conditional. And I think the value on future year picks essentially downgrades them one round, so 2 5ths for AT, a 7th and a 6th.

[MaroonBells]

I think a lot of how they would feel is dependent on how much you value his contribution to Young’s growth.  He’s unlikely to still be contributing by the time that they are contending, so in that context it makes sense for them to get more draft capital which they can use on players who will be there at that time.  For me, I think that it’s a bad move for them, because I do think Thielen being on their team in 2025 probably helps both Young and the youthful and unproven WR’s advance their development faster than if he wasn’t there.

I agree. Their top two receivers right now are T-Mac, a rookie who could be the next Justin Jefferson or the next Justin Blackmon. We just don't know until we see him play. And then Legette a 2nd year player who was drawing some "bust" labels last year. They no longer have the sure handed, consistent route runner that young QBs need. It's a gamble for them that T-Mac can be that. 

Thielen helped Young become a better QB last year. He's going to do the same for JJ this year.

[Mattyman]

Panthers drafted 2 WR in 2025, Panthers FO anticipated this deal was coming.

Vikings FO knew a suspension was coming and they saw what they had at WR in OTA's.. Tc was to see if Nailor or someone else could be the guy for 3 games and no one stepped up.

I think this deal was worked out weeks ago, and everyone involved got what they wanted. WIN!