Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen just finished another solid campaign, and the former undrafted free agent it reportedly considering retirement. A longtime Minnesota Viking, the Minnesota State product first joined the Panthers ahead of the 2023 campaign. Serving as the only reliable receiver in the offense, Thielen finished his first season in Carolina with 103 receptions for 1,014 yards. While injuries limited him to just 10 games in 2024, he still finished the season with 48 receptions for 615 yards and five touchdowns.
Thielen is no longer a Pro Bowl-caliber wide receiver, but the 11-year veteran still has the physical ability to play the game. However, the 34-year-old is reportedly considering retirement and might not suit up in 2025. The wide receiver is entering the final year of his contract and might be willing to return to the Panthers, but he might want an opportunity to compete for a Super Bowl. Bryce Young showed some life down the stretch, but Carolina probably won’t be serious contenders next year. If he wants to make the most of what could be his final year in the league, Thielen could request a trade to the Kansas City Chiefs or Los Angeles Chargers.
#Panthers WR Adam Thielen said yes..
He is absolutely contemplating retirement.
He says this is not* unique to this season, and likely started after Year 10. Here’s more: pic.twitter.com/ASaXQVHoVe
— DaShawn Brown (@DaShawnWSOC9) January 6, 2025
Trade Rumors Could Delay An Adam Thielen Retirement
The Kansas City Chiefs seemed to have figured out their wide receiver room for the postseason run, but they could be in trouble in 2025. While promising first-round pick Xavier Worthy isn’t going anywhere, but Marquise Brown and DeAndre Hopkins are free agents and second-round pick Rashee Rice may be suspended for a sizable portion of the season. With Travis Kelce also showing his age, Mahomes may be short on weapons in 2025.
If Adam Thielen decides against retirement, he could be a perfect fit for this offense. The veteran should have no trouble establishing a rapport with Mahomes, and he still has plenty left in his tank. He was on a 1,000-yard pace with Bryce Young and Andy Dalton as his quarterbacks, so imagine what he could do under a great quarterback like Patrick Mahomes and an elite offensive mind like Andy Reid. Like all aging veterans, Thielen wants to win a ring, and the Chiefs should remain in the thick of Super Bowl contention next year.
More Help For Herbert
Jim Harbaugh’s Los Angeles Chargers are in the playoffs and should feel good about their postseason matchup against the Houston Texans. While the team could advance to the AFC Divisional Round, they’ll struggle to go on a deep playoff run. Second-round pick Ladd McConkey is the real deal and 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston is coming off the best game of his career, but teams need three reliable receivers in today’s pass-happy NFL.
Harbaugh wants to win games with an old-school rushing attack, but adding Thielen to the mix could fix one of the biggest issues with this team. He won’t need to be a 1,000-yard receiver in Los Angeles, but Adam Thielen could put off retirement to chase a championship with a postseason team armed with over $74.6 million in cap space to improve the roster. The sky is the limit for the 2025 Chargers, and Thielen could be a key piece in bringing the fanbase their first Lombardi Trophy.
Main Photo: Kim Klement Neitzel – USA Today Sports
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