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Minnesota Vikings Legend Lands First TV Job
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- Minnesota Vikings Legend Lands First TV Job
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Last season, when the Minnesota Vikings found themselves in a bind at the wide receiver position, they turned to fan-favorite and future Ring of Honor inductee Adam Thielen to fill the void.
Unfortunately, the reunion didn't go as planned and Thielen was cut loose weeks later, and eventually signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers for their playoff run, before hanging up his cleats this offseason.
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Adam Thielen latest MN Viking to join ESPN
Since, the Minnesota State – Mankato alum has started a new podcast ( Dialed ), where he discusses the mentality of elite athletes — along with a couple of national TV appearances that he's now spun into a new one-day-per-week job at ESPN, on NFL Live.
Former Vikings two-time Pro Bowl WR Adam Thielen is joining NFL Live every Wednesday throughout the 2026 season.
Thielen makes his debut today alongside Molly McGrath, Dan Orlovsky and Andrew Hawkins . pic.twitter.com/cR6sDkpf5g— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 16, 2026
Related: KOC Surprises Paul Allen with Vikings Pregame Honor
It didn't take long for Adam Thielen , now 36, to figure out his post playing career. Although he's still based in Minnesota, Thielen will travel weekly to ESPN headquarters in Bristol, CT for his new job on ESPN next to daily contributors Molly McGrath , Dan Orlovsky , and Andrew Hawkins .
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Pretty crazy to think Thielen carved out a 12-year career (10 of which came with Minnesota) worth $90 million in total earnings out of a division II college career, but even that wasn't enough to satisfy the Detroit Lakes native.
Although ESPN has been in the news for cutting a significant amount of their long-standing talent , Thielen is proof that they continue to look for new figures who can draw in audiences like others who have come through the four-letter network.
