Vikings, Panthers Near Trade Deal For WR Adam Thielen

The Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers are currently engaged in trade talks regarding veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen, who wants to return to Minnesota where he became a hometown hero. The Vikings, dealing with injuries and suspensions in their wide receiver corps, see Thielen as a valuable addition to support their offense. However, negotiations have stalled primarily due to disagreements over compensation, with the Panthers hesitant to part with their WR1 without adequate draft capital in return. Financial considerations complicate the trade, as Thielen's $6.25 million base salary and recent $1.5 million roster bonus create salary cap challenges; both the Panthers and Thielen may need to accept some financial concessions to facilitate the deal. Despite a dip in production and age-related concerns, Thielen's familiarity with the Vikings' offensive system and his potential to ease pressure on the starting quarterback make him an attractive option for Minnesota. The trade remains uncertain as both teams try to find common ground on draft picks and salary responsibilities.