Adam Thielen’s Minnesota Vikings homecoming will not have a happy ending.
The team announced the veteran receiver had been waived on Monday to allow him to pursue playing elsewhere to finish his final NFL season.
“Adam’s representation recently approached the team and asked if we would be willing to release Adam, expressing his desire to play a bigger role in the remaining weeks of what he has indicated will be his final NFL season,” general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said in a statement. “Following discussions this weekend and out of respect for Adam, we have agreed to give him the opportunity to pursue more playing time elsewhere. Adam is one of the all-time great Vikings, and we wish him and his family continued success.”
A 35-year-old native of Detroit Lakes, MN, Thielen returned to the Vikings this past offseason in a trade after two seasons with the Carolina Panthers. The Minnesota State product had spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Vikings.
He appeared in 11 games with the team this season, but was sparsely used. Thielen hauled in eight catches on 18 targets for 69 yards. He did not dress in the team’s 26-0 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
A two-time Pro Bowler, Thielen has recorded 693 receptions for 8,380 yards and 64 touchdowns in 173 career games.
Because this transaction occurred after the NFL trade deadline, Thielen will now go through the waiver process and can be claimed by any of the other 31 teams. Should be go unclaimed, Thielen becomes a free agent and free to sign with a team of his choosing.
