Adam Thielen, Vikings Part Ways as Veteran Wideout Eyes Final NFL Run
It’s the end of an era in Minnesota. Adam Thielen, one of the most beloved and consistent players in recent Vikings history, has been released by the team-at his own request-as he looks to finish his NFL career in a more competitive situation.
The 35-year-old wide receiver and the Vikings made the news official on Monday, with both sides confirming the mutual decision via social media. For Thielen, this isn’t just a change of scenery-it’s his final chapter.
He made it clear he plans to retire at the end of this season, but he’s not looking to coast to the finish line. He wants to compete.
And right now, that’s just not something the Vikings can offer.
Minnesota sits at 4-8 after a brutal 26-0 loss to the Seahawks, a game that underscored just how far this team has fallen. The offense never found its footing, and the low point came on a play that may go down as one of the most baffling in recent memory.
Rookie quarterback Max Brosmer, under heavy pressure, attempted a desperation pitch-right into the hands of a Seahawks defender, who took it to the house. It was the kind of play that makes the highlight reels for all the wrong reasons.
Thielen didn’t suit up for that game. He was listed as inactive-not due to injury, but as a coach’s decision.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell addressed it postgame, explaining that the move was about roster flexibility, not health or performance. “You’re just trying to do what you think is best to win,” O’Connell said, noting that the wide receiver group has been one of the few position rooms to stay healthy this season.
Still, Thielen’s absence in a blowout loss only added to the sense that his time in Minnesota was winding down. And now, it’s official.
Thielen’s story with the Vikings is one of the NFL’s best. An undrafted kid out of Minnesota State, he earned his way onto the roster through special teams and sheer determination.
Over the years, he became a go-to target, a Pro Bowler, and a symbol of consistency and professionalism. He spent 11 years with the organization, playing 10 seasons and becoming a fan favorite in the process.
But this season, his role had diminished. Through 11 games, he’s caught just eight passes for 69 yards-a far cry from the production he’s used to.
Still, he believes he has something left in the tank, and he wants to use it in a meaningful way. That means finding a team in the playoff hunt, a team that could use a veteran presence in the locker room and a reliable set of hands on third down.
For the Vikings, the decision reflects the reality of where they are. This is a team in transition, and at 4-8, the playoff window has effectively slammed shut. While technically still alive, the math isn’t on their side-and they know it.
Letting Thielen go now gives him a chance to chase one last postseason run, and it gives Minnesota a chance to look ahead. It’s a move that makes sense for both sides, even if it tugs at the heartstrings of Vikings fans who’ve watched No. 19 make clutch catches for over a decade.
Thielen’s next stop isn’t clear yet, but one thing is: he’s not done competing. And wherever he lands, he’ll bring the same work ethic, leadership, and grit that defined his time in Minnesota.
One last run. That’s all he’s asking for.