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Minnesota Vikings Legend Makes Retirement Official
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- Minnesota Vikings Legend Makes Retirement Official
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
When the Minnesota Vikings turned their focus to Week 1 of the 2025 regular season they saw a gap in the roster. Jordan Addison, who was just recently arrested again , was set to serve a suspension stemming from his last run-in with the law . Jalen Nailor was coming off a hand procedure and the wide receiver position had question marks.
Rather than grab someone off the open market, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah pulled some (heart) strings. Swinging a deal with the Carolina Panthers , Adam Thielen was brought back home. Unfortunately he didn't finish his season with the Vikings, but his next stop will be a Ring of Honor ceremony.
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Adam Thielen calls it a career
The Minnesota Vikings signed Adam Thielen as an undrafted free agent following a successful college career with Minnesota State-Mankato. The Detroit Lakes native went from a special teams extra to an offensive mainstay. Now after 13 years in the NFL, he's hanging up his cleats.
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Veteran NFL receiver Adam Thielen announces his retirement. pic.twitter.com/AgVsKHXJJ2
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 14, 2026
Thielen's post on Instagram confirms what was expected to be coming at the end of this season. He played in the Pittsburgh Steelers playoff game, and picked up a critical fourth down conversion on a pass from fellow legend Aaron Rodgers.
173 of his 178 career games came in a MN Vikings uniform. Thielen finishes his career with 8,497 yards to his credit. He hauled in 64 touchdown passes, and he ran for one as well. For a guy that was overlooked and an afterthought at the Division II level, his career could not have gone better.
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Thielen had no contract in place for 2026 as he fulfilled his duties prior to the announcement. In total, the Minnesota native brought in just shy of $90 million over the course of his career.
Expect MN Vikings celebration
There's no reason to believe that Adam Thielen will warrant a future place in Canton among Hall of Fame talents. However, even aside from him being "one of us," he's earned a nameplate among the Ring of Honor.
U.S. Bank Stadium proudly displays the names and numbers of former MN Vikings greats. Thielen will be among them as soon as the celebrate can be planned.
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Once enshrined, Thielen will become just the third wide receiver to join the Vikings Ring of Honor . Of course that includes both Cris Carter and Randy Moss. While Jake Reed was a fun member of the "Three Deep" trio, Thielen's career production far surpassed that and he worked well alongside both Stefon Diggs and Justin Jefferson.
Minnesota won't need to trade for Thielen this time, and his next homecoming should be a fun environment for everyone present.
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