Adam Thielen Waived by Vikings at His Own Request, Eyes Final NFL Stretch with a Contender
Adam Thielen’s second stint with the Minnesota Vikings has come to an emotional end - and on his own terms.
Less than a day after being a surprise healthy scratch in the Vikings’ 26-0 loss to the Seahawks, the team waived the veteran wide receiver at his request. Thielen, who announced this will be his final NFL season, is hoping to finish his 12-year career with a playoff contender.
Let’s break down what happened, what it means for the Vikings, and where Thielen goes from here.
A Surprise In Seattle
Thielen’s absence in Seattle caught fans and analysts off guard. There was no injury designation leading up to the game, and he wasn’t listed on the final injury report. But 90 minutes before kickoff, he was ruled inactive - a healthy scratch in a game where the Vikings were shut out and struggled to move the ball.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell later confirmed it was a coaching decision, citing the need for depth at other positions. But that decision may have been the final nudge in a situation that had been building behind the scenes.
Thielen’s Request, Vikings’ Response
On Monday, the Vikings made it official: Thielen was waived, giving the 33-year-old wideout the chance to seek a new opportunity elsewhere. General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said the move came after Thielen’s camp approached the team last week, expressing his desire for a larger role in what he’s confirmed will be his final NFL season.
"Following discussions through the weekend and out of respect for Adam, we have agreed to give him the opportunity to pursue more playing time elsewhere," Adofo-Mensah said in a statement. “Adam is one of the all-time great Vikings, and we wish him and his family continued success.”
It’s a classy and appropriate ending for a player who’s meant so much to the franchise - and the state.
The Return That Wasn’t
Thielen’s return to Minnesota this season came via a preseason trade with the Carolina Panthers, who received a fourth-round pick in the deal. The idea was to bring in a familiar face to help stabilize the receiving corps while Jordan Addison served a three-game suspension.
But the reunion never really clicked on the field. Thielen caught just eight passes for 69 yards over 11 games, largely serving as a depth piece. His role was limited, and with the Vikings’ offense sputtering and their playoff hopes fading fast, the fit no longer made sense for either side.
An Emotional Farewell
Thielen took to social media on Monday to share a heartfelt message with fans, confirming that this season will be his last - and that he’s hoping to chase a playoff run before calling it a career.
“This is tremendously difficult for me to write and certainly not how any of us imagined this would go,” Thielen wrote. “As a Minnesota native, putting on this uniform over the years and representing this community both on and off the field has always meant that much more to me.
This team is in my bones, it’s in my heart, and it’s part of my DNA. I will ALWAYS be a Minnesota Viking.”
Thielen also revealed that he’s known since spring that this would be his final NFL season. The Vikings, he said, gave him the opportunity to finish it on his own terms.
“Given that, the Vikings allowed me the opportunity to go compete elsewhere for the last few weeks of my career,” he wrote. “Minnesota will always be our home… This organization means the world to us from top down and this locker room is filled with true professionals.”
He ended the message with a promise: “With gratitude and love… I’ll be back to retire.”
What’s Next for Thielen - and the Vikings
Thielen now hits waivers, and it’s possible a playoff-bound team in need of veteran depth could give him a call. He may not be the explosive threat he once was, but his experience, route-running, and locker room presence could be valuable down the stretch.
As for the Vikings, they’re sitting at 4-8, losers of four straight and six of their last seven. With the playoffs all but out of reach, the focus likely shifts to evaluating young talent and figuring out what the future holds at quarterback and beyond.
They’ll host the Commanders next Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium, and all eyes will be on whether rookie J.J. McCarthy clears concussion protocol in time to return under center.
Final Thoughts
Adam Thielen’s story is one of the most beloved in Minnesota sports - from undrafted tryout to Pro Bowler, from local kid to franchise icon. His departure may be bittersweet, but it’s also a reminder of what makes the NFL so compelling: the personal journeys, the hard decisions, and the pursuit of one last shot at glory.
Wherever Thielen lands next, he’ll carry with him the respect of a fanbase that watched him grow from a feel-good story into a cornerstone of the franchise. And when he says he’ll be back to retire as a Viking? You can believe that.