Adam Thielen’s career didn’t end the way anyone hoped, but his journey from undrafted free agent to Vikings star won’t be forgotten.
Adam Thielen’s NFL career didn’t end the way he, the Minnesota Vikings, or their fans would have imagined. But fittingly, the final chapter doesn’t define the story. Thielen announced his retirement on Wednesday, closing the book on a career that began as an undrafted long shot and ended with him firmly cemented as one of the most accomplished wide receivers in Vikings history.
Playoff aspirations quickly evaporated when Minnesota fell to 4-8. Thielen asked for his release so he could join a playoff-contending team. He signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the final five games of the regular season.
The Steelers' playoff run was short-lived, though. They were bounced from the playoffs on Monday night, losing to the Houston Texans 30-6. On Wednesday, Thielen announced he was retiring.
It wasn't the storybook ending he, fans, or even the Vikings, wanted. Thielen caught only 8 passes for 69 yards in 11 games with Minnesota, relegated to a role player behind Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jalen Nailor.
But Thielen's disappointing final season in purple doesn't change his legacy with the Vikings. He is likely a no-brainer choice to be in the team's Ring of Honor in the future, and his wait won't be long.
His inclusion will be partly attributed to his native roots and his underdog story. He grew up as a Vikings fan in Detroit Lakes, MN, and then played football at Mankato State. Thielen then signed with his favorite team as an undrafted free agent in 2013, spending his rookie season on the practice squad.
That itself would have been a dream come true. But it was just the beginning.
Thielen became a core special teams member in 2014, blocking a punt and returning it for his first career touchdown on Nov. 30, 2014. It felt like Thielen could be a special teams ace for years to come. But again, the best was yet to come.
Thielen became a regular contributor on offense in 2016, making 10 starts. He caught 69 passes for 967 yards and five touchdowns, proving to be a worthy WR2 option opposite Stefon Diggs. Thielen's breakout game came on Christmas Eve when he hauled in 12 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns against the Green Bay Packers.
But it was 2017 when he finally made a name for himself across the league. Thielen caught 91 passes for 1,276 yards and five touchdowns, getting selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career. That was the first of two Pro Bowl appearances in two years for Thielen, who also received Second-Team All-Pro honors in 2018.
But his signature moment came in the 2019 Wild Card round against the New Orleans Saints. The Vikings, 7.5-point underdogs, were in a slugfest at the Superdome, tied 20-20 after regulation. That set the stage for one of the great moments in the team's playoff history.
On the first drive of overtime, Kirk Cousins faked a handoff and then launched the ball downfield to Thielen, who had a defender draped all over him. Thielen hauled the ball in over his shoulder for a 43-yard gain to set Minnesota up at the Saints' 2-yard line. Three plays later, Cousins found tight end Kyle Rudolph for the game-winning four-yard touchdown pass.
Thielen left the Vikings after the 2022 season, but he had already cemented his legacy. He ranks fourth all-time in team history in catches (542), fifth in receiving yards (6,751), and third in receiving touchdowns (55).
His story transcended the typical underdog story. Thielen became one of the NFL's better receivers and came up clutch in multiple playoff games for the Vikings.
2025 wasn't a year to remember, but it won't diminish what he did for Minnesota. Thielen will be in the Vikings' Ring of Honor, and there will be little debate about it when the opportunity to do so presents itself.