Panthers GM Dan Morgan just got an opportunity to stick it to Vikings fans even more while adding a key piece for a playoff push
Could the Panthers reunite with Adam Thielen?
The Carolina Panthers took a big jump back in the playoff push with a massive upset over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday in a game not many people expected to win, or win the way they did.
The Panthers’ offense went toe-to-toe against the hottest offense in the league in route to a 31-28 win. It was a balanced attack fueled by a strong run game and huge downfield plays made by quarterback Bryce Young to keep the playoff dream alive.
But, the job isn’t finished. The Panthers finally get a week off in Week 14 before having four more games left on the schedule and latest NFL news could allow Carolina to add a familiar reinforcement to help fuel the final push.
Panthers need to call up Adam Thielen after being waived by the Vikings
On Monday, the Minnesota Vikings made the stunning decision to release long-time fan-favorite Adam Thielen. The veteran wide receiver was a healthy inactive in Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks and it seems like Thielen got his wish yet again.
“Since this past spring, I knew this was going to be my last season playing in the National Football League,” Thielen said in his official post. “Given that, the Vikings allowed me the opportunity to go compete elsewhere for the last few weeks of my career.”
After spending his first nine seasons of his career in Minnesota, Thielen joined the Panthers in 2023 and quickly became a trusted pass catcher for Young and Carolina’s offense. After two seasons with the team, Thielen made it known he wished to return to Minnesota, prompting a trade ahead of the 2025 regular season.
Carolina acquired a 2026 5th-round pick and a 2027 4th-round pick in exchange for Thielen, a conditional 2026 7th-round pick and a 2027 5th-round pick. It’s already proved to be a massive win for general manager Dan Morgan considering Thielen has totaled just eight receptions for 69 yards in 11 games with the Vikings this season.
It was a difficult decision for the Panthers to make. Just like he was in Minnesota, Thielen was a fan-favorite in Carolina and not someone the fans wanted to see go. Now, the Panthers have an opportunity to bring him back and reunite with Young for the final stretch and finally be a part of a playoff push with this team.
Earlier in the offseason, when making the decision to play one more year in 2025, Thielen voiced his confidence in Young and how it weighed into the decision to keep playing.
“I wouldn’t still be playing football if that wasn’t the case,” Thielen said on Stupodity with Stugotz back in July. “I think having the way he finished last year — his confidence, his mindset, the way that he led in the locker room — and that paired with the leadership in the organization and where this organization has gone since I got here, it’s hard to not want to be a part of that.”
The writing is on the wall for the Panthers to make this decision and they can make it at the perfect time, giving Thielen a full week to refamiliarize himself with Dave Canales’ offense and the rest of the players in the locker room. It’s an easy decision to make.
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