Panthers GM speaks after trading WR Adam Thielen to Vikings

CHARLOTTE — Adam Thielen is going back to the Minnesota Vikings, Channel 9’s DaShawn Brown confirmed Wednesday.

The Carolina Panthers are trading Thielen to his former team, plus a conditional 7th round pick in 2026 and a 5th round pick in 2027.

The Vikings will send their 5th round pick next year and a 4th round pick in 2027 to the Panthers in exchange for Thielen.

There it is.

Adam Thielen is headed back to the #Vikings, a league source confirms.

The #Panthers trade Thielen, a conditional 7th round pick (2026) and a 5th round pick (2027).

In return, they're getting a 5th round pick next year and a 4th round pick in 2027. @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/aEfdfMNujO
— DaShawn Brown (@DaShawnWSOC9) August 27, 2025

Thielen had become a reliable target for Panthers Quarterback Bryce Young after joining the team in 2023. He racked up over 1,000 yards receiving in his first year with the Panthers, and averaged 12.8 yards per catch in 2024.

Thielen is a native of Minnesota, and he started his NFL career with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent.

Panthers GM Dan Morgan talked to the media on Thursday about the trade. Morgan said that after speaking with the Vikings, he asked Thielen if he wanted to go back to Minnesota.

“I kind of put myself in his shoes a little bit, to where if I could play my last year where it first started, that would be a cool thing,” Morgan said. “It’s where I’m going to eventually retire and live; there’s a soft spot in my heart but at the same time ”It’s a unique situation that I think I wouldn’t do for just anybody, and at the same time I’m always going to do what best for the Carolina Panthers as well."

(VIDEO: WR Adam Thielen talks about this season’s Panthers offense)