Vikings and Theilen talking...

The Vikings relied heavily on three receivers during O'Connell's first season. 
Jefferson, Thielen and K.J. Osborn were rarely given a breather due to the Vikings' lack of depth. Receiver Jalen Reagor is under contract for another year after uneven returns on offense and special teams. Bisi Johnson, who suffered a second torn knee ligament last summer, is a pending free agent.
A true No. 1 receiver like Jefferson allows the Vikings to search for complements.
"We're always looking for diverse skill sets," O'Connell said, "that can allow you to just get creative with how you attack people over the course of a full season."
NFL Media draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, a former NFL scout, said this draft class might lack the Ja'Marr Chase or Jefferson-level star, but he projected five first-round receivers between Southern California's Jordan Addison, Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Texas Christian's Quentin Johnston, Boston College's Zay Flowers, and Tennessee's Jalin Hyatt. North Carolina's Josh Downs is another quick and fast talent who could be gone by the time the Vikings make a second pick, currently slated at 87th overall in the third round.
Jeremiah projected the Vikings to go defense with the 23rd-overall pick. Minnesota's second-round pick rests in Detroit, from where the Vikings acquired Hockenson.
Oklahoma's Marvin Mims Jr., a burner who averaged 19.5 yards per catch in college, and Louisiana State's Kayshon Boutte, an inconsistent but talented threat with the ball, are among the projected mid-round options.
https://www.startribune.com/vikings-adam-thielen-talking-through-contract-and-role-with-cap-decisions-looming/600256272/

Adam Thielen could make intriguing addition for KC ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs could make Adam Thielen the sort of addition that JuJu Smith-Schuster was this season.

As of right now, Adam Thielen isn’t available, but that’s technically true of a lot of players who will be seeking employment in a matter of weeks. From the outside looking in, it seems only a matter of time until the Minnesota Vikings release the popular wide receiver to recoup some much-needed cap space heading into a new league year.
When it comes to the Kansas City Chiefs, Thielen is an intriguing name to bring up as a potential free agent signing, a talented wide receiver whose best days are behind him yet still has something left in the tank. Given several parameters on both sides—for both player and team—it feels like the sort of short-term relationship that could work for all parties involved.
Consider this: the Vikings already employ the best young wide receiver in the game in Justin Jefferson and they’re in the hole by over $23 million at this point, per Spotrac. The idea of cutting Thielen is nothing new for Vikings fans, as the team could save a quick $6.4 million with the decision, and it looks like an even more obvious choice when you acknowledge that Thielen isn’t quite the game-breaking target that he used to be.
Thielen hasn’t made a Pro Bowl since 2018—Patrick Mahomes’ first season in the league—so those days of dominance are behind him, but he’s remained a very steady receiver for Minnesota in the years since then. Last year, Thielen had 70 catches for 716 yards and 6 touchdowns and showed he can still be reliable by playing in all 17 games for the Vikings. The truth is that Thielen can also still be a menace in the red zone, as illustrated by his 30 touchdowns in the last three years—not bad for post-prime numbers—and Mahomes is the sort of statistical inflator that will make his numbers look even better.
For the Chiefs, Thielen would give them a productive veteran who could surprise given a change of scenery alongside a lot of returning players with variables like Skyy Moore (who rarely played), Kadarius Toney (who is often injured), and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (who can be inconsistent). The Chiefs could allow Smith-Schuster to walk toward a greater payday (or play hardball and hold firm knowing they have another option) and keep a proven productive player around hungry for a championship.
The arrangement would only likely last a single season, but the idea of bringing Thielen into K.C. would be a nice gain for everyone. It would also allow the Chiefs to draft another player this year while not plugging him in immediately. The cost should be fair, the drive for the player will be high, and the offense can remain as deep and dangerous as ever.

https://arrowheadaddict.com/2023/03/05/adam-thielen-possible-intriguing-addition-kc-chiefs/

No position's cliff is more steep than WR. And very few of them even see it until they're starting up at it.

Hopefully Thielen is smarter than that. Smart enough to know the only way he can keep his family in Minnesota is by taking a massive pay cut. 

I love Thielen, his story, and what he has meant to the organization...but it's time to move on. We need speed at the position and Thielen's injuries and age have taken a toll on him. If he wants to come back on a hugely reduced salary as the 3rd or 4th guy on the depth chart, great, but I don't think that will be the case. 

@"MaroonBells" said: No position's cliff is more steep than WR. And very few of them even see it until they're starting up at it.

Hopefully Thielen is smarter than that. Smart enough to know the only way he can keep his family in Minnesota is by taking a massive pay cut. 

He doesn't care about keeping his family in Minnesota. He moved them out several years ago. His wife and kids live outside of Orlando when the kids are in school. They do spend some time during the summer in MN.

@"bigbone62" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: No position's cliff is more steep than WR. And very few of them even see it until they're starting up at it.

Hopefully Thielen is smarter than that. Smart enough to know the only way he can keep his family in Minnesota is by taking a massive pay cut. 

He doesn't care about keeping his family in Minnesota. He moved them out several years ago. His wife and kids live outside of Orlando when the kids are in school. They do spend some time during the summer in MN.

@"StickyBun" said:

@"bigbone62" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: No position's cliff is more steep than WR. And very few of them even see it until they're starting up at it.

Hopefully Thielen is smarter than that. Smart enough to know the only way he can keep his family in Minnesota is by taking a massive pay cut. 

He doesn't care about keeping his family in Minnesota. He moved them out several years ago. His wife and kids live outside of Orlando when the kids are in school. They do spend some time during the summer in MN.

Adam is a big golfer and he's gets a raise with no income tax in Florida. 

Or he goes to KC and gets a shot at a SB.

Officially released. Best of luck AT

And wide receiver goes towards the top of our draft needs 

Not a total surprise.  This officially gets us below the cap?  What are the chances that they keep talking on a new deal?  Is that even possible  under the rules?

Vikings release receiver Adam Thielen, ending his 10-year run in MinnesotaThe Detroit Lakes native and former Minnesota State Mankato star, signed after a 2013 rookie camp tryout, leaves with more catches and touchdowns than any Vikings player other than Randy Moss or Cris Carter.It appears for the first time in his life, Adam Thielen will play his home football games for a team outside of Minnesota.
The Vikings released Thielen on Friday, ending a 10-year run that figures to be recounted for years as one of the unlikeliest success stories in team history. The Detroit Lakes native, who went to Minnesota State-Mankato on a $500 scholarship and signed with the Vikings after a 2013 rookie camp tryout, leaves with more catches (534) and receiving touchdowns (55) than every player in team history not named Cris Carter or Randy Moss.
Releasing Thielen saves the Vikings $6.41 million in salary cap space, though they will absorb $13.55 million in dead money. The 32-year-old receiver had discussed a restructured contract that would have kept him in Minnesota on a reduced salary, according to a source with knowledge of the situation, but seemed inclined to pursue other teams that might offer a larger role in the offense than he would have with the Vikings.
Thielen caught 70 passes for 716 yards and six touchdowns in 2022, his seventh season as a starter in Minnesota after one year on the practice squad and two where he was primarily a special teams contributor. He was targeted 107 times, as part of a team that became the ninth in NFL history to have four receivers with at least 60 catches, but saw his opportunities dwindle particularly in the final weeks of the regular season as tight end T.J. Hockenson grew into the Vikings' No. 2 target behind Justin Jefferson.
"When you have the receiver that leads the league in yards and receptions and have three other guys with 60-plus, you feel really strong about that group," coach Kevin O'Connell said at the NFL combine last week. "Adam is one of those leaders that I speak of. His teammates voted him as a captain, what he means not only to our organization but the Twin Cities.
"I think there's a conversation to be had to really see what that looks like: playing time and roles and responsibilities so that all of our players feel like not only 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."
As Thielen pursues free agency for the first time, he concludes a decade with the Vikings that went far beyond what anyone could have imagined.
https://www.startribune.com/vikings-release-adam-thielen-salary-cap-free-agency-minnesota-mankato/600257785/

@"Montana Tom" said: Not a total surprise.  This officially gets us below the cap?  What are the chances that they keep talking on a new deal?  Is that even possible  under the rules?

I'm sure that is possibility but I don't think Thielen was happy with his role on the Team after KOC took over. I know there were a lot of people claiming he was hurt last year, but he definitely looked frustrated as the 4th option behind Hock and KJ. His Wife's comments at the end of the Season also reinforced that he had played his last game as a Viking. I wish him all the best. He was an incredible player and teammate during his time in Minnesota. 

@"bigbone62" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: No position's cliff is more steep than WR. And very few of them even see it until they're starting up at it.

Hopefully Thielen is smarter than that. Smart enough to know the only way he can keep his family in Minnesota is by taking a massive pay cut. 

He doesn't care about keeping his family in Minnesota. He moved them out several years ago. His wife and kids live outside of Orlando when the kids are in school. They do spend some time during the summer in MN.

what does this even mean?

"I think there's a conversation to be had to really see what that looks like: playing time and roles and responsibilities so that all of our players feel like not only 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."

@"greediron" said: what does this even mean?

"I think there's a conversation to be had to really see what that looks like: playing time and roles and responsibilities so that all of our players feel like not only 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."

to me it seems like they are saying,  based on what you are expected to contribute in our O,  this is what you are worth.

@"SkolVikings44" said:

@"bigbone62" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: No position's cliff is more steep than WR. And very few of them even see it until they're starting up at it.

Hopefully Thielen is smarter than that. Smart enough to know the only way he can keep his family in Minnesota is by taking a massive pay cut. 

He doesn't care about keeping his family in Minnesota. He moved them out several years ago. His wife and kids live outside of Orlando when the kids are in school. They do spend some time during the summer in MN.

Shake my head. The Thielens live about two miles from me. I have personally delivered stuff to the (both Adam and Caitlin) at their door. They still live in Woodbury, MN.

Loved watching Adam and his story but I believe it was time to move on. I saw this coming from the minute Caitlyn starting tweeting after the playoff loss. Wish him nothing but the best going forward.