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Minnesota native Adam Thielen’s second stint as a wide receiver with the Vikings is over.
The Vikings announced Monday that they’ve waived Thielen — at the veteran player’s request. The team said Thielen wanted the chance for more playing time in what he says will be his final NFL season.
The move comes as Minnesota’s offense has sputtered in recent weeks and with the team on a four-game losing streak.
“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,” the Vikings said in a statement Monday. “Adam is one of the all-time great Vikings, and we wish him and his family continued success.”
Thielen also issued a statement, saying the development is “certainly not how any of us imagined” the season would go.
“Since this past spring, I knew this was going to be my last season playing in the National Football League. Given that, the Vikings allowed me the opportunity to go compete elsewhere for the last few weeks of my career,” Thielen wrote.
He thanked the Vikings organization, saying the team “is in my bones, it’s in my heart and it’s part of my DNA” — and that he’ll “be back to retire.”
The Detroit Lakes native and Minnesota fan favorite spent nearly a decade with the Vikings to start his pro career, before playing for Carolina for two seasons. He rejoined the Vikings just prior to the current season.
The 35-year-old Thielen, who was acquired with a conditional 2026 seventh-round draft pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick from the Panthers for a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick, has the third-most catches in Vikings history behind Cris Carter and Randy Moss. The Vikings agreed to take on $5 million in salary with Thielen.
He had eight catches in 11 games for Minnesota this season but did not score a touchdown.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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