Adam Thielen’s time with the Minnesota Vikings has officially come to a close - and this time, it feels final.
The veteran wide receiver was a healthy scratch in Sunday’s 26-0 loss to the Seahawks, and now we know why. On Monday, the Vikings announced they’ve waived Thielen at his request, allowing the 33-year-old to seek one last opportunity with a playoff-caliber team as he wraps up what he’s already confirmed is his final NFL season.
“Adam’s representation recently approached the team and asked if we would be willing to release Adam, expressing his desire to play a bigger role in the remaining weeks of what he has indicated will be his final NFL season,” Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said in a statement. “Following discussions this weekend and out of respect for Adam, we have agreed to give him the opportunity to pursue more playing time elsewhere. Adam is one of the all-time great Vikings, and we wish him and his family continued success.”
The #Vikings have waived WR Adam Thielen. pic.twitter.com/ahAft1Wxv6
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 1, 2025
It’s a respectful, bittersweet ending to a remarkable chapter in Vikings history. Thielen, who originally joined Minnesota as an undrafted free agent out of Minnesota State, became one of the most beloved and productive receivers in franchise history - not just for his stats, but for the way he embodied the grit and loyalty of the fan base.
After two seasons with the Panthers in 2023 and 2024, Thielen returned to Minnesota this year, but his role was minimal. Through 11 games in 2025, he recorded just eight catches for 69 yards - a far cry from the Pro Bowl-level production he once delivered.
But this move isn’t about numbers. It’s about legacy, closure, and the chance to walk away from the game on his own terms.
In his own statement posted Monday, Thielen confirmed what many had suspected - this is the final stretch of his NFL journey.
“Since this past spring, I knew this was going to be my last season playing in the National Football League,” Thielen wrote. “Given that, the Vikings allowed me the opportunity to go compete elsewhere for the last few weeks of my career.
Minnesota will always be our home and we are incredibly grateful to the Wilf family, Kwesi, KO [Kevin O’Connell], Rob [Brzezinski] and everyone in the Vikings organization for bringing us back in August. This organization means the world to us from the top down and this locker room is filled with true professionals.
#Skol https://t.co/PmpGmts9lr pic.twitter.com/AAZl4B0q6j
— Adam Thielen (@athielen19) December 1, 2025
With gratitude and love and I’ll be back to retire!”
That last line says it all. This isn’t a bitter goodbye - it’s a graceful transition. Thielen wants to finish his career competing for something meaningful, and with the Vikings sitting at 4-8 and officially on the outside of the playoff picture, the team respected that wish.
With the trade deadline behind us, Thielen will now go through the waiver process. Whether a contender picks him up or not remains to be seen, but it’s clear he’s chasing one last shot at postseason football before he hangs up the cleats.
Regardless of what happens next, Thielen’s place in Vikings lore is secure. From undrafted longshot to fan favorite to franchise icon, he’s lived out the kind of story that doesn’t come around often in the NFL. And now, he gets a chance to write the final chapter on his own terms.