Carolina Panthers veteran Adam Thielen intends to play in 2025 following speculation that he could retire. According to several reports, the Panthers are getting good news that Thielen will return in the final year of his contract after being the subject of trade rumors this past 2024 campaign. Even though Thielen wants to return, it might not happen with the Panthers considering the team is building a new supporting cast around quarterback Bryce Young. However, it might make sense for the veteran to join a contender since the wide receiver is aging and has gone through several injuries already with the Panthers.
Originally selected as an undrafted free agent in 2013 from the Minnesota Vikings, the veteran spent his entirety chasing after a ring but his time is winding down. After trading Diontae Johnson and Jonathan Mingo in one season, it would be a no-brainer for the Panthers to put Thielen on the trade block. Carolina has enough to build around with Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker if they still have plans to search for a new wide receiver in free agency. Thielen might not be a full-time starter anymore but he could be easily accessible for a team that needs a playoff playmaker that could bring some promise in the passing game.
The Panthers won’t be serious contenders are two disastrous seasons so the team should find a trade partner for Thielen so they could have another building block in return. However, it might be difficult to pull off but the Chargers, Cowboys probably have the right price to give in return for Thielen.
Veteran Adam Thielen Intends to Play in 2025 – Chargers, Cowboys Most Likely Trade Partners
Helping Herbert’s Passing Game
While the Los Angeles Chargers did make it to the NFL wild card, the supporting cast around quarterback Justin Herbert wasn’t sufficient enough to advance further. Rookie Ladd McConkey is a fine long-term player for the offense but Herbert is going to need a little more star power if head coach Jim Harbaugh wants to see any success other than being a first-round exit. They spent the majority of last offseason rewiring the ground game but Harbaugh has his eyes open on Herbert’s potential and defends him from critics that he isn’t the issue.
This means the team should consider trading Quentin Johnston after sustaining another disastrous season. Since Joshua Palmer and DJ Chark will become free agents, the Chargers should be looking for some wide receiver depth beyond who they may acquire to accommodate McConkey. Adam Thielen might not be a Pro Bowl factor anymore but he could more than likely carve out a consistent role as a new set of hands for Herbert.
Loading Up for Dak Prescott
Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys will probably not be aggressive in free agency this offseason. Like every other season, the team has yet to give quarterback Dak Prescott any new legitimate weapons to help him despite extending him and WR1 CeeDee Lamb. The Jones family must realize Lamb can’t do it alone and Prescott can’t rely on security blanket Jake Ferguson for the majority of next season. With KaVontae Turpin and Brandin Cooks becoming free agents, the Cowboys should be in the market to acquire a new wide receiver in free agency.
Dallas has always been reliant on the NFL Draft but they can’t do so if they want to win a championship now. Perhaps, reaching out to the Panthers again for a new wide receiver trade could jumpstart the passing game for Prescott. Thielen would become the second-best receiver on this roster and would be a solid veteran help.
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