“I can still play at a high level,” Newly signed Panthers WR Adam Thielen REVEALS why he decided to leave the Vikings after refusing to take a paycut
Adam Thielen talked about leaving the Vikings a month before he signed with the Panthers.
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Adam Thielen (Image via USA Today)
The former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen has found a new home after he agreed on terms with the Carolina Panthers on a new deal. Previously, the 32-year-old receiver refused to take a pay cut to stay with the Minnesota-based franchise. In fact, a month before he signed with the new team, the talented wide receiver talked about potentially leaving the Vikings on The Pat McAfee Show.
During the Super Bowl weekend last month, Adam Thielen joined The Pat McAfee Show to talk about his future with the Vikings. In the episode, he talked about potentially leaving the Vikings since they were allegedly asking him to take a pay cut.
“Honestly to me, obviously I would love to finish my career with Minnesota, I mean I grew up in Minnesota, I’ve played my whole career there so far, but at the end of the day, I feel like I can still play at a high level. Feel like I prove that every single day,” said Thielen about potentially leaving the Vikings.
His negotiations didn’t turn out pretty well in Minnesota and he was released from the franchise on March 10 to save some cap space. And now, after exploring the free agency, the 2-time Pro Bowl receiver has signed with the Carolina-based football team.
Former Vikings WR Adam Thielen signs with the Panthers
The former Indianapolis Colts punter and sports media personality Pat McAfee broke the news of Adam Thielen signing a new deal with the Panthers. Thielen signed a 3-year $25 million contract, including 14 million guaranteed.
He will try to replace the former Panthers receiver D. J. Moore, who was recently traded to the Chicago Bears by the Panthers in a package to acquire the No.1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Thielen signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent. He has played for 9 years with the franchise and has caught 534 passes for 6682 yards and 55 touchdowns. His best season came in 2018 when he caught 153 passes 1373 yards and 9 touchdowns.
He is not exactly D. J. Moore, but his signing has certainly taken off the number 2 wide receiver need in Carolina. Last season, he caught 70 passes for 716 yards and 6 touchdowns and the future franchise QB of the Panthers would certainly love throwing to the 6’2″ wide receiver. Besides, with one need taken care of, the Panthers could now focus on their other needs in free agency and the NFL Draft.
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Aravind Raj
(2075 Articles Published)