Wide receiver Adam Thielen has been one of the few bright spots on the Carolina Panthers over the past few seasons, but one prominent reporter believes the team could trade him before the start of the regular season. Following a successful nine years with the Minnesota Vikings, Thielen joined Carolina in 2023 as has been the only consistent set of hands for Bryce Young in both 2023 and 2024. However, with young players like Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker, and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders emerging, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell believes Thielen could be expendable.
In a recent article, Barnell explains that the Panthers could trade Adam Thielen despite his strong play. While he remains productive, he’s entering his age-35 season and likely doesn’t have much more in his tank. Carolina is on the rise, but they’re still years away from competing for a Super Bowl and could target a younger receiver in free agency. If that happens, Barnwell believes Thielen will play somewhere else in 2025.
“They could potentially trade him to a more competitive team if they want to make a more substantial investment in a veteran receiver, which would likely land Carolina a Day 3 pick in return.”
While Adam Thielen is much closer to the end of his career than the beginning, several contending teams should be willing to trade for him. In no particular order, these five organizations make the most sense as a potential home.
5 Teams That Could Trade for Adam Thielen
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers need wide receivers in the worst way. Second-round pick Ladd McConkey hit the ground running as a rookie, but he can’t carry the entire passing attack by himself. With Quentin Johnston looking better in a smaller role, an Adam Thielen trade could give Jim Harbaugh’s squad adequate security at the WR2 position. Harbaugh wants to win games on the ground, so he doesn’t need a superstar complementing Thielen. Given his affordable contract, trading for Thielen should allow the Chargers to spend big on their interior offensive line.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Whether it’s Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, or another veteran, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback will need more help to succeed in the current environment. George Pickens is a good player but may have worn out his welcome, and the rest of the depth chart is loaded with unremarkable weapons. Adam Theilen is no longer the 1,300-yard weapon he was with the Vikings, but he can get open and make plays in the intermediate level of the field. If Wilson returns, Thielen’s style of play should mesh well with the present-day version of the quarterback.
Kansas City Chiefs
After losing the Super Bowl, the Kansas City Chiefs enter the offseason in an uncertain state. Wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins and Marquise Brown are free agents, and the team might not have the cap space to retain them. While first-round pick Xavier Worthy came on strong down the stretch, this team could use another receiver if Rashee Rice misses part of 2025 due to a suspension. An Adam Thielen trade won’t break the bank and will give Patrick Mahomes at least one proven veteran.
Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams are trading Cooper Kupp because his production no longer matches his paycheck. While Puka Nacua is more than capable of being the top option in a passing attack, Los Angeles must find a competent starter opposite the former fifth-round pick. Adam Thielen is an ideal choice for the job, as the trade target is still a starting-caliber player but isn’t good enough to usurp Nacua as the Rams WR1.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are top-heavy at the wide receiver position and tried to address that problem with the Diontae Johnson trade. While that move blew up in their face, it shouldn’t stop them from trying to land another reliable set of hands. Trading for another Panthers wide receiver might be uncomfortable, but Adam Thielen has a much better shot of working out as the second or third receiver on the depth chart.
Main Photo: Kim Klement Neitzel – Imagn Images
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