Vikings Reacquire Adam Thielen in Trade with Panthers

Adam Thielen has returned to the Minnesota Vikings after being traded by the Carolina Panthers, fulfilling his desire to finish his NFL career where it began. Thielen, a Minnesota native and longtime Viking, had been with the Panthers for two seasons but expressed to Panthers GM Dan Morgan his strong wish to return to Minnesota, even agreeing to take a salary reduction to facilitate the trade. The Vikings reworked Thielen's contract and welcomed him back as a valuable veteran presence, especially important with teammate Jordan Addison suspended for the first three games. Thielen's former teammate Justin Jefferson praised his continued ability to create plays and relieve defensive pressure. The Panthers received draft picks in return, which they value as they build their young core, though they may regret the timing given injuries like Jalen Coker's quad strain. Minnesota fans and the organization celebrated Thielen's homecoming, seeing it as a fitting conclusion to his prolific career.