03-05-2023, 03:02 PM
INDIANAPOLIS – Coach Kevin O'Connell said he envisions a Vikings offense that can further ascend with Adam Thielen as a contributor. Whether the veteran receiver thinks that's enough, and whether a financial gap can be bridged, remains to be seen.
Thielen's contract — which commands the team's highest 2023 cap hit for a non-quarterback player at nearly $20 million — is an ongoing discussion with the Vikings, as is Thielen's role in a passing attack that was led by receiver Justin Jefferson and tight end T.J. Hockenson at year's end.
"When you have the receiver that leads the league in yards and receptions," O'Connell said this week at the NFL scouting combine, "and have three other guys with 60-plus [catches], you feel really strong about that group. And I still think that there's places to go where we can build upon it even more. Adam is one of those leaders that I speak of; his teammates voted him as a captain.
"We're going to continue to take a look at what's the best route to go," he added. "There's a conversation to be had to really see what that looks like: playing time and roles and responsibilities. So that, regardless, all of our players feel like … it's a fair compensation for them. But we've got the kind of players where they care a lot about their role and their responsibilities and how they help us win, and you want those things to match up and for them to feel as good about it as we do. We'll have those conversations and dialogue and kind of see where it goes."
A solution with Thielen, whether via a new deal, a trade or release, will be the first domino for a Vikings receiving corps that could seek a jolt behind Jefferson. The Vikings will likely make multiple moves to create salary cap space before the March 15 open to free agency; the hard deadline with Thielen is March 17, when his $11.8 million base salary becomes guaranteed.
Thielen, the Detroit Lakes and Mankato product, said he was uncertain whether he would stay with the Vikings for an 11th season during a series of interviews last month for Super Bowl week. Thielen, who had 70 catches for 716 yards and six touchdowns last season, wanted to be a bigger part of the game plans, according to a source.
Thielen said as much on ESPN's "First Take" last month, when sharing that he wants to "help a team and show them that I can play at a high level."
"Will that be in Minnesota? I don't know," Thielen said. "I hope so. I hope to retire a Minnesota Viking."
https://www.startribune.com/vikings-adam-thielen-talking-through-contract-and-role-with-cap-decisions-looming/600256272/
Thielen's contract — which commands the team's highest 2023 cap hit for a non-quarterback player at nearly $20 million — is an ongoing discussion with the Vikings, as is Thielen's role in a passing attack that was led by receiver Justin Jefferson and tight end T.J. Hockenson at year's end.
"When you have the receiver that leads the league in yards and receptions," O'Connell said this week at the NFL scouting combine, "and have three other guys with 60-plus [catches], you feel really strong about that group. And I still think that there's places to go where we can build upon it even more. Adam is one of those leaders that I speak of; his teammates voted him as a captain.
"We're going to continue to take a look at what's the best route to go," he added. "There's a conversation to be had to really see what that looks like: playing time and roles and responsibilities. So that, regardless, all of our players feel like … it's a fair compensation for them. But we've got the kind of players where they care a lot about their role and their responsibilities and how they help us win, and you want those things to match up and for them to feel as good about it as we do. We'll have those conversations and dialogue and kind of see where it goes."
A solution with Thielen, whether via a new deal, a trade or release, will be the first domino for a Vikings receiving corps that could seek a jolt behind Jefferson. The Vikings will likely make multiple moves to create salary cap space before the March 15 open to free agency; the hard deadline with Thielen is March 17, when his $11.8 million base salary becomes guaranteed.
Thielen, the Detroit Lakes and Mankato product, said he was uncertain whether he would stay with the Vikings for an 11th season during a series of interviews last month for Super Bowl week. Thielen, who had 70 catches for 716 yards and six touchdowns last season, wanted to be a bigger part of the game plans, according to a source.
Thielen said as much on ESPN's "First Take" last month, when sharing that he wants to "help a team and show them that I can play at a high level."
"Will that be in Minnesota? I don't know," Thielen said. "I hope so. I hope to retire a Minnesota Viking."
https://www.startribune.com/vikings-adam-thielen-talking-through-contract-and-role-with-cap-decisions-looming/600256272/
