- By Hayden Remillard
- Twitter: @haydentalks
- news@profootballtechs.com
Adam Thielen Released
The Minnesota Vikings are parting ways with one of the franchises’ most loved players.
After nine seasons in purple and gold, Adam Thielen was released by the team on Friday.
With the move, Minnesota will save $6,417,647 in cap space for the 2023 season.
This release leaves behind over $13.5 million of dead cap.
Thielen — a native of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota — went undrafted in the 2013 NFL draft. Nine days later, the Vikings signed him to a three-year $1.48 million contract.
It wasn’t until 2014 that Thielen made the 53-man roster. He would make his NFL debut in a week one matchup against the Rams.
Thielen’s first career touchdown came on special teams when he blocked a punt and carried the ball back for the score.
In week 17 of the 2013 season, Thielen caught his first career receiving touchdown. It came off a 44-yard pass from quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
His two standout seasons came in 2017 and 2018. Over those two years, Thielen played in 32 games, recording 203 catches, 13 touchdowns, and 82.8 yards per game.
Last season, the 32-year-old played in all 17 games, finishing with 70 catches for 716 yards and six touchdowns.
Thielen sits fourth on the Vikings’ franchise receiving leaders list with 6,682 yards and third all-time in catches (534) and touchdowns (55).
Thielen’s off the field work
While Thielen’s play was stellar, it was his work off the field that made him special to the Vikings organization.
In the fall of 2018, Adam and his wife Caitlin started the Adam Thielen Foundation. The foundation has raised over $2.5 million since it began.
The foundation creates programs that help young people reach their full potential. They work closely with the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital, the Brooklyn Center High School, and the Salvation Army Christmas.
The Thielen Foundation also hosts youth football camps for ages 6 to 13.
Thielen will now become an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team that gives him an offer.
The league’s legal tampering period begins on March 13th. Teams can officially sign players on the 15th.