With the 2026 NFL Draft weekend upon us, teams will introduce their latest rookie class to the league in hopes of having them become part of the next Super Bowl puzzle. The draft also means finalizing past trades that included future draft picks. A big one was the August 2025 trade that sent wide receiver Adam Thielen from the Carolina Panthers back home to the Minnesota Vikings.
Original terms of the Adam Thielen trade from the Panthers to the Vikings
- Vikings receive: Adam Thielen, a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick, and a 2027 fifth-round pick
- Panthers receive: 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick.
What did the Panthers do with the pick from the Adam Thielen trade?
The Panthers acquired the No. 158 overall pick from the Vikings. We will update when they make the pick.
They have a 2027
pick coming, too.
What did the Vikings do with the picks from the Adam Thielen trade?
The Vikings get pick 235 and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
How was Adam Thielen’s performance for the Vikings in 2025?
Thielen was traded back to the Vikings to try to replicate some of the success he had earlier in his career, when he caught for over 2,500 yards during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. However, Thielen was not able to live up to the hype. He caught eight passes for 69 yards in 11 games with the Vikings before they waived him on December 1.
Thielen was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Steelers the following day. He played in the final five games of their season, helping them achieve the AFC North title and reach the playoffs. Thielen caught 11 passes for 117 yards to close out the season and had two catches for 25 yards in his final NFL game, a wild card loss to the Houston Texans.
Who won the Adam Thielen trade?
Based on the fact that Thielen did not perform up to standards with the Vikings in his final NFL season, the Panthers should be considered the winners of the trade.
It remains to be seen what the draft picks will amount to in the deal, but as of right now, the advantage belongs to Carolina.
