Adam Thielen made a sacrifice to join his former team.
Thielen, 35, took a $2 million pay cut that helped finalize the trade that sent him back to the Vikings from the Panthers on Wednesday, ESPN reported Saturday.
The two teams went back and forth on the deal for over a week, with some of the delay being attributed to draft pick compensation.
The Vikings gave up a 2026 fifth-round pick, a 2027 fourth-round selection, a conditional seventh-round pick in 2026 and a fifth-round pick in 2027 in exchange for Thielen.
Thielen got a $1.5 million raise to make his salary $7 million for 2025, but the Vikings refused to pay a portion of the two-time Pro Bowler’s salary, ESPN reported.
Thielen’s decision to take a pay cut ultimately made the deal work for both teams.
Following the deal’s confirmation, Thielen told reporters the significance of returning to Minnesota for him and his family.
“Obviously you guys know without me saying it, how much this place means to me,” Thielen told reporters Thursday. “The state, the city, this organization, [ownership], coaches, players. I couldn’t be more excited, and there’s nothing I could say to tell you how excited I am to be back home in my family.”
A Minnesota native, Thielen played collegiate football at Minnesota State and spent his first nine NFL seasons with the Vikings.
During his tenure with the Vikings, Thielen tallied 534 catches for 6,682 yards and 55 touchdowns, helping the team reach the postseason four times.
Thielen ranks third all-time in receptions for Minnesota, behind Hall of Fame wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss.
After being released by the Vikings following the 2023 season, Thielen signed a three-year deal worth $25 million with Carolina.
Upon his departure from the Panthers, Thielen credited Carolina quarterback Bryce Young for helping him elongate his career.
“I will say this about Bryce, because he deserves the respect. He’s a great man. He’s a great leader. And he’s a great quarterback,” Thielen told reporters Thursday. “You saw that at the end of last year. Just the stuff he had to go through, the adversity through his first two years in the league. You don’t wish that upon anybody. For him to handle that, and to where he’s at right now.
“It says a lot about his character, and who he is, and what kind of player he’s going to be in this league. So much respect for him. Because I guarantee you, I’m not here today without him. Him trusting me. Him giving me opportunities. And believing in me to be able to still continue to play this game that I love.”
Minnesota opens up the season against the rival Bears on “Monday Night Football” on Sept. 8.