The Vikings are not in an enviable position with respect to cap space as the new league year approaches, meaning the team will need to make a number of financial moves in the near future. One of those is likely to involve one of their longest-tenured contributors. 
Wideout Adam Thielen once again faces the probability of having to restructure his contract. The 32-year-old has two years remaining on his current pact, and is scheduled to have a cap hit of just under $20MM in 2023. Thielen re-worked his deal last March, in a move which saw Minnesota gain much-needed cap space but has his $11.8MM salary for this season set to become fully guaranteed just after the new league year. Barring further maneuvering, then, he could be considered a cut candidate.
When speaking about his financial situation on the Pat McAfee Show, Thielen acknowledged that talks have begun with the Vikings regarding a new restructure (video link). The two-time Pro Bowler is due more than $30MM over the course of the next two seasons, though Minnesota will once again have the option of converting a significant portion of his base salary into bonuses. A post-June 1 release in particular, on the other hand, would give the NFC North champions eight-figure cap savings in both 2023 and 2024.
When speaking about his uncertain future, Thielen made it clear, however, that he intends to re-work his deal as a result of his desire to remain with the Vikings. The former UDFA has played each of his 135 career games with Minnesota, eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark twice. His yardage totals have dipped in recent years, as fellow receiver (and 2022 Offensive Player of the Year) Justin Jefferson has enjoyed an historic start to his career. Thielen has still proven himself to be a reliable redzone contributor, though, totaling 30 touchdowns in the past three campaigns.
“I want to be able to help a team and show… I can play at a high level to help them win,” Thielen added, via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (on Twitter). “Will that be in Minnesota? I don’t know. I hope so. I hope to retire a Minnesota Viking… Will that happen? I don’t know. This is also a business.”
Thielen and the Vikings have a few weeks to work out an agreement which lowers his cap hit while ensuring he remains in Minnesota for at least the short-term future. Failing that, he would no doubt generate a considerable market for himself as a free agent.
PR stunt, he gone.
Dude – you’ve got to go to a team without an overpaid QB if you want to earn some cash.
Restructuring is his best way to get paid. He’s not completely cooked, but he’s far enough over the hill that no one’s shelling out big for him at this point. He’s got a medium dead cap hit if he’s cut. Might as well restructure rather than have a sad decline for a fan base that doesn’t care about him for no particular financial gain.
Go to a team that doesn’t have an over paid QB? So he’s better off going to a horrible team or one that doesn’t have a top 20 QB.
Theilen is no longer the #1 receiver on the Vikings – thus he isn’t going to get #1 receiver money in his next contract. Even forgetting the question of whether he is no longer quite the player he was when he signed his last deal, If he wants big money he can’t play on a team that already has a massively-paid QB and a true #1 WR that will likely receive his first big contract offer next year.
Might as well ask the QB to reconstruction his overpaid contract..
A seasoned receiver that runs routes well and has good hands can improve the performance, confidence and stats of a young or mediocre quarterback. His agent should be checking in with (in general terms) teams with a situation such as that with respect to their quarterback. Thielen can continue to get paid well, get more targets, mentor the team’s other receivers while the Vikings lose salary expense and replace lost draft choices. WIN – WIN
Get out and go be a #1 somewhere. Ain’t getting paid being Cousins sloppy seconds
He is not a #1 option in the NFL anymore , if he ever was. What he is , is a MN native so fans love him for that. He is also a alumni of Minnesota State Mankato , so again he is loved for that. With that said , he is not even really a #2 WR in the NFL. He cannot create space from defenders and is quite slow. He still has the hands and is very good in the red zone and picking up 3rd down coversions. He rarely gets YAC’s ( yards after the catch) I hope he understands the pinch the Vikings are in and takes a massive pay cut if he really wants to stay here. Otherwise I wish him well if moves on to someone willing to overpay for his diminishing skill set. He’s been a class act for his home state and I wish him the best.
I wonder what the posters on here are smoking when they say he’s a #1 receiver…..good lord put the crack pipe down. They need a fast receiver on a rookie contract to take his place to help pay JJ.
Thielen had 20 targets,10 catches and 2 TDs in the last five weeks. Either he fell out of the plan or was victim of Cousins’ inability to deviate on any play. There’s cheaper options unless he restructures.
Hockenson had a bit to do with his numbers regressing at end of year .
The Vikings could try flipping Thielen to the defensive side of the ball, where just about anyone added to the secondary would be an upgrade.
Can he wear Ted Lasso cleats on D?
It would be nice if Theilen used his ingrained Minnesota common sense and realize that he is no longer the received that he was 3 years ago and take the pay cut to remain with the team. What bugs the snot outta me is these players refuse to grasp the concept of their “big payday” window and still expect that kind of money when the window closed. And I hope that he realizes that the money has already made more than almost anyone from Detroit Lakes has ever made…along with more than most that most people will ever make or see.