Adam Thielen Requests Release, Vikings Waive Veteran In Sudden Final-Season Twist

EAGAN, MN — The Minnesota Vikings on Monday waived wide receiver Adam Thielen, ending his short-lived return to the franchise just three months after the team traded to bring him back home.

The move follows a request from Thielen and his representatives, according to a statement issued by Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.

"Last week, Adam's representation approached the team and asked if we would be willing to release Adam, expressing his desire to play a bigger role in the remaining weeks of what he has indicated will be his final NFL season. 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. Adam is one of the all-time great Vikings, and we wish him and his family continued success."

Thielen also released a lengthy statement on social media, calling the decision "tremendously difficult" and emphasizing his lifelong ties to Minnesota:

"Vikings Family —
Thank you
This is tremendously difficult for me to write and certainly not how any of us imagined this to go.

As a Minnesota native, putting on this uniform over the years and representing this community both on and off the field has always meant that much more to me. This team is in my bones, it's in my heart and it's part of my DNA. I will ALWAYS be a Minnesota Viking.

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.

Minnesota will always be our home, and we are incredibly grateful to the Wilf family, Kwesi, K.O. and everyone in the Vikings organization for bringing us back in August. This organization means the world to us from the top down and this locker room is filled with true professionals.

With gratitude and love and I'll be back to retire!

Adam"

Because the move comes after the NFL trade deadline, Thielen will go through waivers. If unclaimed, he will be free to sign with any team as he seeks a larger role for the final weeks of what he says will be his final season.

Thielen, 35, returned to Minnesota in late August in a homecoming deal with Carolina. The Vikings sent a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick to the Panthers in exchange for Thielen, a conditional 2026 seventh-rounder, and a 2027 fifth-rounder.

He appeared in 11 games this season, starting four. Thielen recorded eight receptions for 69 yards on 18 targets, with six of those catches converting first downs. He also caught a 2-point conversion pass in Minnesota’s Week 1 comeback win at Chicago, Vikings.com noted.

Thielen was inactive Sunday during Minnesota’s loss in Seattle, which dropped the Vikings to 4–8.

A Detroit Lakes native and Minnesota State standout, Thielen originally joined the Vikings in 2013 as an undrafted free agent and became one of the most productive receivers in franchise history.