Official: Vikings formally inquired about Thielen

[Montana Tom]

IT'S BEEN CONFIRMED...IT'S NOT JUST FAN CONJECTURE.

Panthers extend Taylor Moton; Vikings inquire about Adam Thielen
Aug 22, 2025, 10:52 AM ET

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers have extended the contract of right tackle Taylor Moton through the 2027 season, the team announced on Friday.

Moton, 31, received a two-year, $44 million deal with $40 million guaranteed, the Win Sports Group told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Sources also told Schefter the Minnesota Vikings have reached out to Carolina about trading for wide receiver Adam Thielen, 35, who is in the last year of his contract.

Thielen is from Minnesota and spent his first 10 seasons with the Vikings before signing with Carolina in 2023. The Vikings are looking for insurance with Jordan Addison serving a three-game suspension to start the season and Jalen Nailor dealing with a hand injury.

Carolina also has a crowded wide receiver room. Thielen is one of three starters with 2025 first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan and 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette.

Behind them is 2021 Pro Bowler Hunter Renfrow, trying to make a comeback after missing last season with ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune condition that forced the Las Vegas Raiders to release him after the 2023 season. He could fit right into Thielen's role.

Carolina also has Jalen Coker, David Moore, rookie Jimmy Horn Jr. and Brycen Tremayne, who had a solid training camp.

Panthers coach Dave Canales said he will let general manager Dan Morgan handle any discussions about Thielen or anybody else.

"I'm focused on our team, and Adam's a part of that,'' he said. "We have a lot to talk about the next couple of days in terms of the roster. ... It's just until the conversations really get real, there's nothing to talk about other than that for us.''

[StickierBuns]

I'm sure they are, like they are with some other options. Thielen is 35 years old, so this doesn't really excite me that much. But I like the guy and if it happens, I'll hope he's got some gas left in the tank for 2025.

[hogjowlsjohnny]

I'm sure they are, like they are with some other options. Thielen is 35 years old, so this doesn't really excite me that much. But I like the guy and if it happens, I'll hope he's got some gas left in the tank for 2025.

This is the way I see it as well. However, I fear, this is another opportunity for Kwesi to get fleeced.

[Kentis]

I think that the Jets 6th is earmarked for bringing home Adam, our 6th is probably going to be much lower in the round…

[JR44]

I think Thielen would be a great veteran preference for JJ and they have worked out together so there is a familiarity there. I believe that has to be a big part of the motivation. That said, my preference would be to pick up a FA that will not cost a draft pick or if we were to make a trade it would be for a younger WR.

Two years ago Thielen had a 103 receptions and last year he had 48 in 10 games, when Addison gets back, he is not going to see the usual targets with Jets and Addison on the field so not sure if it is going to be a spot he will be happy in. I could see Addison not liking this move thinking it could take away from some of his targets.

[MaroonBells]

I think Thielen would be a great veteran preference for JJ and they have worked out together so there is a familiarity there.  I believe that has to be a big part of the motivation.  That said, my preference would be to pick up a FA that will not cost a draft pick or if we were to make a trade it would be for a younger WR. 

Two years ago Thielen had a 103 receptions and last year he had 48 in 10 games, when Addison gets back, he is not going to see the usual targets with Jets and Addison on the field so not sure if it is going to be a spot he will be happy in.  I could see Addison not liking this move thinking it could take away from some of his targets.

I don't see Thielen taking anything away from Addison. I'd say Nailor is the one who should worry.

[rf54]

Panthers head coach Dave Canales didn’t have much to say about a Friday report that the Vikings have inquired about trading for wide receiver Adam Thielen.

Canales said at a press conference that General Manager Dan Morgan is handling any discussions on the trade front while he keeps his focus on the players currently on the roster. That group includes Thielen at the moment and Canales said there’s isn’t much else to say as a result.

“Until the conversations really get real, there’s not a lot to talk about,” Canales said, via Darin Gantt of the team’s website.

Thielen spent a decade with the Vikings before joining the Panthers in 2023. Xavier Legette, first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan, Hunter Renfrow, Jalen Coker, David Moore, and sixth-round pick Jimmy Horn are some of the other receivers on Carolina’s roster.

[greediron]

I don't see Thielen taking anything away from Addison. I'd say Nailor is the one who should worry.

Don't think either of them have to worry about Thielen.  Nailor's nickname is speedy, so AT isn't going to be taking his routes.  JA is much better at this point in his career than AT.

[comet52]

“Until the conversations really get real, there’s not a lot to talk about,” Canales said, via Darin Gantt of the team’s website.

A clue from Canales.

Meanwhile, "insiders" say they haven't been this excited about peddling a story since they promised us Aaron Rodgers in purple earlier this year.