The Minnesota Vikings are entering the season with some major question marks surrounding the wide receiver position. Justin Jefferson, considered by many fans and pundits to be the best receiver in the league, is managing a hamstring injury that has persisted throughout the offseason, and his running mate, Jordan Addison, has been suspended for the first three games of the season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
These developments have left young quarterback J.J. McCarthy in a less-than-ideal situation as he gets ready for his first NFL start, after losing his rookie season to a meniscus injury suffered in the preseason.
In response, the Vikings have decided to trade for a former All-Pro to get their young quarterback some more help.
“Reunion! The #Vikings are finalizing a trade for two-time Pro Bowl WR Adam Thielen, bringing home the Minnesota native in a deal with the #Panthers, sources tell me and (Ian Rapoport). Thielen and Justin Jefferson were teammates from 2020-2022. Now, they’re back together again. Carolina gets: 2026 5th and a 2027 4th. Minnesota gets: Thielen, a conditional 2026 7th and a 2027 5th rounder,” reported NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Fans reacted to the trade on social media.
“Hope he retires a Viking now! Welcome home!” one Vikings fan wrote on Twitter.
“I think I’ve convinced myself that giving up a 5th rounder and moving back one round in 2027 isn’t all that much to give up. Mostly because this trade isn’t just about the first 3 weeks, they need another competent receiver for the entire season,” one fan added.
“This season cannot start soon enough. Love this re-addition on several levels,” someone else wrote.
It’ll be interesting to see how the trade works out for Minnesota.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.