Adam Thielen has agreed to restructure his contract with the Minnesota Vikings, reducing his annual salary by $2 million and wiping $4 million in incentives off the books, NFL Network reported Saturday.
The wide receiver agreed to the pay cut to help the Vikings with their salary cap and because, simply, he wanted to go home, per the report.
Thielen, 35, is a lifelong Minnesotan. Born in the state, he played collegiately at Minnesota State before signing with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2013.
A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Thielen was released by the Vikings to save salary cap space in March 2023, and he signed a three-year, $25 million deal the same month with the Carolina Panthers.
Carolina traded him on Aug. 27 along with a seventh-round 2026 pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to Minnesota for a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick.
He was due to earn a $6.25 million base salary this season and had a variety of incentives in his contracts based on receptions, receiving yards and playoff appearances.
Thielen missed seven games last season after sustaining a hamstring injury while laying out to reel in a 31-yard touchdown reception in the Panthers’ 36-22 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 22.
He finished with 48 catches on 62 targets for 615 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games (all starts) during his second season with the Panthers.
Thielen has 685 receptions for 8,311 yards and 64 touchdowns in 162 regular-season games (128 starts).
