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Minnesota Vikings Cut 2-Time Pro Bowl Wide Receiver In Surprise Move After Loss To Seahawks

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This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Minnesota Vikings helmet
Minnesota Vikings helmet (Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images)

Adam Thielen’s time with the Minnesota Vikings has come to an end.

The Minnesota Vikings are parting ways with the franchise icon for a second time. The team released the veteran wideout on Monday at his request, allowing the 35-year-old to finish his career with another franchise.

Thielen and the Vikings confirmed the news with posts on social media Monday.

The team said Thielen approached them about wanting to finish out his NFL career in a competitive situation. The Vikings decided to grant that wish, as they had no chance of doing anything in 2025.

Adam Thielen confirmed as much, saying this will be his final season in the NFL and he wanted to compete over the final weeks of his career.

Adam Thielen Wants Off The Circus Ride

Adam Thielen holding a football
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 15: Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up prior to the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 15, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

The Vikings are 4-8 after falling 26-0 at the hands of the Seahawks on Sunday. It was a comedy of errors that led to the blowout.

The team completed the worst play in NFL history when undrafted rookie Max Brosmer found himself running for his life as a Seahawks defender chased him. Instead of taking the sack, he decided to pitch the ball straight to a Seahawks defender, who returned it for a touchdown.

Making matters worse is that Adam Thielen was announced as among the inactive players for the game.

He was inactive, and it wasn’t for injury reasons, head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed after the game, saying, “I’d just file it under a coach’s decision. Looking at where we were at some other positions around our roster, you’re just trying to do what you think is best to win and make sure you’ve got some depth at some other spots where guys were dealing with some things. That receiver position’s one that has stayed pretty remarkably healthy this year.”

While still technically alive, the season will be dead within a week or two. In the NFL, a 4-8 record just won’t get it done.

Adam Thielen just wants to play and possibly go out somewhere in the playoff mix.

Thielen spent his first 11 years and 10 NFL seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.

Through 11 games in 2025, Thielen has caught just eight passes for 69 yards.

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