The Minnesota Vikings are bringing back a franchise icon. Wide receiver Adam Thielen is coming from the Carolina Panthers via trade.

It had already been hinted at recently, and now it’s perfect: wide receiver Adam Thielen is returning to the Minnesota Vikings.

According to multiple leading NFL media outlets, the Vikings have agreed to a trade with the Carolina Panthers. In addition to the wide receiver, the deal also includes a pick swap between the teams.

In addition to Thielen, the Vikings will also receive a conditional seventh-round pick in 2026 and a fifth-round pick in 2027. In return, the Panthers will receive a fifth-round pick in 2026 and a fourth-round pick in 2027.

Thielen with a successful past with the Vikings

For Thielen, it’s a return to the team where the 35-year-old spent the first phase of his NFL career. He joined the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2013, but established himself as one of the team’s most important offensive players in the following years.

Thielen was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2017 and 2018, and was even named Second-Team All-Pro in 2017. After the 2022 season, Thielen was released by the Vikings.

He then signed with the Panthers and became the most important target for young quarterback Bryce Young. In 2023, he once again broke the 1,000 receiving yards mark, while in the previous year he only played ten times due to injury and recorded 615 yards.