Panthers Ship Off Unhappy WR to Former Team in Latest Projected Trade

The November 5 trade deadline is right around the corner and the Carolina Panthers, sitting at 1-6, are obviously expected to be sellers. Contenders and teams hopeful of making the playoffs will be calling Panthers GM Dan Morgan about the veterans who could still contribute to a good team.

One of those players is the 34-year-old Adam Thielen. After signing a three-year, $25 million deal with Carolina in the 2023 offseason, Thielen now belongs on a better team in the final stage of his career. In fact, The Athletic's Jacob Robinson and Dianna Russini think that he might return to his former team Minnesota Vikings via a trade.

In their article outlining wide receiver trades that need to happen, Robinson and Russini send Thielen back to the Vikings for a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick.

On paper, the Panthers don't need to do this. Giving up one of your best offensive players for a sixth-round pick may not be worth it. On the other hand, this would be doing Thielen a solid. Carolina is going to be terrible with or without Thielen. Moving on from him would open up more playing time for the younger players while allowing the two-time Pro Bowler to chase a Super Bowl ring in Minnesota.

Thielen was placed on the injured reserve list last month with a severe hamstring injury. He is set to return from injury this week and should suit up before the trade deadline to show that he is healthy and ready to contribute.

Last season, Thielen went for 1,000+ yards on one of the most dysfunctional offenses in the league, demonstrating his capability to make an impact despite his advanced age.

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