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The Adam Thielen Trade Has Reached an Ugly End
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- The Adam Thielen Trade Has Reached an Ugly End
Brad Rempel-Imagn Images Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
On Sunday with the Minnesota Vikings facing the Seattle Seahawks , there was always going to be plenty of storylines. Before J.J. McCarthy was concussed and ceded the starting job to Max Brosmer , it was going to be Sam Darnold's first matchup against his former employer .
The Vikings are just a 4-7 team, and while the Seahawks are 8-3, the matchup had the feelings of significant intrigue. Then Kevin O'Connell released his inactives for the contest and Adam Thielen jumped into the fray.
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Minnesota Vikings make Adam Thielen a healthy scratch
Coming into the season Justin Jefferson was hurt during training camp and Jalen Nailor was in jeopardy of missing Week 1. Adam Thielen wanted to come home , and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah found a way to make it happen . Less than a full season later, he's not even seen as a viable starting option.
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Two veterans who are healthy scratches today: #Steelers CB Darius Slay and #Vikings WR Adam Thielen.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 30, 2025
When Minnesota was angling to deal for Thielen coming into the season, the Carolina Panthers were hesitant. Bryce Young needed competent wide receivers to be successful, and the veteran was seen as capable of leading that group.
Despite being injured and playing just 10 games a season ago, he still racked up 615 yards and five touchdowns . Minnesota pried him away anyways and it was expected he could contribute as a depth receiver with Jordan Addison suspended for three games .
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Now 11 games into the season, Thielen has just 69 yards on eight receptions. He has not scored a touchdown. Last week in an embarrassing loss against the Green Bay Packers , Thielen also recorded an ugly drop.
Since Jordan Addison returned from suspension, here are Adam Thielen's game-by-game snap counts. WR has been arguably the Vikings' healthiest position.
Week 4: 13
Week 5: 13
Week 6: Bye
Week 7: 8
Week 8: 12
Week 9: 4
Week 10: 9
Week 11: 8
Week 12: 3
Week 13: inactive— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) November 30, 2025
Having gone virtually unused by Minnesota, the move was clearly never anything more than a heartfelt homecoming. Thielen hasn't contributed on the field, and now the Vikings will stop trying to pretend that he will. Adofo-Mensah also parted with a 2026 fifth round pick and 2027 fourth round pick to get him.
This seemingly would be the final year of Thielen's career . He has played 173 games and earned some serious money after being undrafted out of Division II Minnesota State Mankato. There's no question that one day he'll join the Minnesota Vikings ring of honor.
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