The Minnesota Vikings have some major questions at the wide receiver position. It all started when Justin Jefferson went down with a hamstring injury early in training camp, which was quickly followed by Jordan Addison’s suspension, Rondale Moore’s season-ending knee injury, and now, Jalen Nailor’s questionable status following a wrist injury. As a result, the latest buzz is that the Vikings could be in the market to trade for a veteran receiver heading into the 2025 regular season. Could the Vikings Trade for a Receiver Before Week 1?
“With Jordan Addison suspended and multiple injuries, the #Vikings are seriously exploring veteran receivers in the trade market, per sources. All-Pro Justin Jefferson (hamstring) is on track for Week 1. His early-season running mate may not be on the roster.” It’s not all that surprising that the Vikings could be in the mix to make a trade before the season begins as Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is no stranger to making deals to bring in more depth towards the end of training camp. The wide receiver need is a major one if the Vikings are going to compete in 2025 as well. If Jefferson is back, that takes some pressure off, but Nailor’s injury throws a major wrench into the operation as the Vikings could be looking to Tai Felton, Lucky Jackson, and/or Tim Jones as the WR2 if the 2022 sixth-round pick were to miss any time.
A popular theory is that Minnesota could bring back Adam Thielen to once again be a running mate for Jefferson as they were from 2020-2022. Thielen, who turns 35 years old on Friday, was released by Minnesota following the 2022 campaign before signing with the Carolina Panthers. He immediately turned around and recorded a 100-reception season in 2023, but his numbers dipped quite a bit in 2024, totaling 48 receptions for 615 yards and five touchdowns. Still, Thielen is a veteran who can be a safety blanket in an offense that needs as many of those as possible while first-year starter J.J. McCarthy learns the ropes at QB.
We talked about the WR depth in another post so this article seemed relevant to the conversation here. I would be ok with Thielen coming back but I don't think it's likely. As an article from purplePTSD points out:
Though it may make a ton of sense to us as wearers of purple-colored shades, it doesn’t make a ton of sense for Adam Thielen to come home past the surface level observation that the Vikings are gonna need help a wide receiver for a couple of weeks.
Brandon Powell is still out there. Amari Cooper is there but he might be more than the Vikings want to pay someone considering all they really need is a stop-gap until Addison comes back.
The Minnesota Vikings have some major questions at the wide receiver position. It all started when Justin Jefferson went down with a hamstring injury early in training camp, which was quickly followed by Jordan Addison’s suspension, Rondale Moore’s season-ending knee injury, and now, Jalen Nailor’s questionable status following a wrist injury. As a result, the latest buzz is that the Vikings could be in the market to trade for a veteran receiver heading into the 2025 regular season. Could the Vikings Trade for a Receiver Before Week 1?
“With Jordan Addison suspended and multiple injuries, the #Vikings are seriously exploring veteran receivers in the trade market, per sources. All-Pro Justin Jefferson (hamstring) is on track for Week 1. His early-season running mate may not be on the roster.” It’s not all that surprising that the Vikings could be in the mix to make a trade before the season begins as Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is no stranger to making deals to bring in more depth towards the end of training camp. The wide receiver need is a major one if the Vikings are going to compete in 2025 as well. If Jefferson is back, that takes some pressure off, but Nailor’s injury throws a major wrench into the operation as the Vikings could be looking to Tai Felton, Lucky Jackson, and/or Tim Jones as the WR2 if the 2022 sixth-round pick were to miss any time.
A popular theory is that Minnesota could bring back Adam Thielen to once again be a running mate for Jefferson as they were from 2020-2022. Thielen, who turns 35 years old on Friday, was released by Minnesota following the 2022 campaign before signing with the Carolina Panthers. He immediately turned around and recorded a 100-reception season in 2023, but his numbers dipped quite a bit in 2024, totaling 48 receptions for 615 yards and five touchdowns. Still, Thielen is a veteran who can be a safety blanket in an offense that needs as many of those as possible while first-year starter J.J. McCarthy learns the ropes at QB.
We talked about the WR depth in another post so this article seemed relevant to the conversation here. I would be ok with Thielen coming back but I don't think it's likely. As an article from purplePTSD points out:
Though it may make a ton of sense to us as wearers of purple-colored shades, it doesn’t make a ton of sense for Adam Thielen to come home past the surface level observation that the Vikings are gonna need help a wide receiver for a couple of weeks.
Brandon Powell is still out there. Amari Cooper is there but he might be more than the Vikings want to pay someone considering all they really need is a stop-gap until Addison comes back.
I am aware that I am likely in the minority, I think we need someone regardless of Addison. The room falls off very fast after WR1 and WR2 imho. Guessing Hock gets used quite a bit this year.
Thielen might be available once the Carolina season takes a downward turn, Have a feeling they are going to want more than he's worth right now.
Personally, I'd be calling about Tyler Boyd. And DJ Chark did just get released... don't know a ton about his fit though.
The Minnesota Vikings have some major questions at the wide receiver position. It all started when Justin Jefferson went down with a hamstring injury early in training camp, which was quickly followed by Jordan Addison’s suspension, Rondale Moore’s season-ending knee injury, and now, Jalen Nailor’s questionable status following a wrist injury. As a result, the latest buzz is that the Vikings could be in the market to trade for a veteran receiver heading into the 2025 regular season. Could the Vikings Trade for a Receiver Before Week 1?
“With Jordan Addison suspended and multiple injuries, the #Vikings are seriously exploring veteran receivers in the trade market, per sources. All-Pro Justin Jefferson (hamstring) is on track for Week 1. His early-season running mate may not be on the roster.” It’s not all that surprising that the Vikings could be in the mix to make a trade before the season begins as Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is no stranger to making deals to bring in more depth towards the end of training camp. The wide receiver need is a major one if the Vikings are going to compete in 2025 as well. If Jefferson is back, that takes some pressure off, but Nailor’s injury throws a major wrench into the operation as the Vikings could be looking to Tai Felton, Lucky Jackson, and/or Tim Jones as the WR2 if the 2022 sixth-round pick were to miss any time.
A popular theory is that Minnesota could bring back Adam Thielen to once again be a running mate for Jefferson as they were from 2020-2022. Thielen, who turns 35 years old on Friday, was released by Minnesota following the 2022 campaign before signing with the Carolina Panthers. He immediately turned around and recorded a 100-reception season in 2023, but his numbers dipped quite a bit in 2024, totaling 48 receptions for 615 yards and five touchdowns. Still, Thielen is a veteran who can be a safety blanket in an offense that needs as many of those as possible while first-year starter J.J. McCarthy learns the ropes at QB.
We talked about the WR depth in another post so this article seemed relevant to the conversation here. I would be ok with Thielen coming back but I don't think it's likely. As an article from purplePTSD points out:
Though it may make a ton of sense to us as wearers of purple-colored shades, it doesn’t make a ton of sense for Adam Thielen to come home past the surface level observation that the Vikings are gonna need help a wide receiver for a couple of weeks.
Brandon Powell is still out there. Amari Cooper is there but he might be more than the Vikings want to pay someone considering all they really need is a stop-gap until Addison comes back.
I thought Powell played ok but there's a reason he's not here or in a camp. Just go with Lucky for my own personal laugh.
We talked about the WR depth in another post so this article seemed relevant to the conversation here. I would be ok with Thielen coming back but I don't think it's likely. As an article from purplePTSD points out:
Brandon Powell is still out there. Amari Cooper is there but he might be more than the Vikings want to pay someone considering all they really need is a stop-gap until Addison comes back.
I am aware that I am likely in the minority, I think we need someone regardless of Addison. The room falls off very fast after WR1 and WR2 imho. Guessing Hock gets used quite a bit this year.
Thielen might be available once the Carolina season takes a downward turn, Have a feeling they are going to want more than he's worth right now.
Personally, I'd be calling about Tyler Boyd. And DJ Chark did just get released... don't know a ton about his fit though.
I think Nailor is a solid #3. His 2024 stats are super similar to Addison's just with less targets. Assumung he was able to continue the same success with double the targets he would actually have better numbers than Addison.
I wonder what the Vikings would be willing to give up to add a WR who might not see the field much once Addison returns after 3 games. Sure, there might be an argument for adding quality depth to the WR group, but if JJ and Addison stay healthy and with the tight ends the Vikings have, having a starting-caliber 3rd WR seems like a luxury.
Maybe someone will become available after rosters get cut down that could be had for a reasonable contract and that wouldn't require giving up a draft pick. I'd be OK with that, but I think Kwesi and KOC should try to work around Addison's absence. Maybe going with more multiple TE sets could help bridge the gap.
VikingLord wrote: ↑Wed Aug 20, 2025 4:37 pm
I wonder what the Vikings would be willing to give up to add a WR who might not see the field much once Addison returns after 3 games. Sure, there might be an argument for adding quality depth to the WR group, but if JJ and Addison stay healthy and with the tight ends the Vikings have, having a starting-caliber 3rd WR seems like a luxury.
Maybe someone will become available after rosters get cut down that could be had for a reasonable contract and that wouldn't require giving up a draft pick. I'd be OK with that, but I think Kwesi and KOC should try to work around Addison's absence. Maybe going with more multiple TE sets could help bridge the gap.
I agree with your take. Our 3rd rounder should be able to help. Nailor hasn't been ruled out for week 1 either. He can still keep his legs in shape. It's not like he's the most sure handed pass catcher.
Negotiations between the Vikings and Panthers are ongoing as Minnesota seeks to bring Adam Thielen back home to bolster a depleted wide receiver room, according to Ben Goessling of the Minnesota Star Tribune.
"The wide receiver discussion has been going on, they've been looking into options at that spot," said Goessling Monday morning on the Access Vikings podcast. "They have been talking with the Panthers about Adam Thielen for a trade.
"My understanding is at this point that is has been a matter of what's the draft pick compensation going to be? Can they get to a spot where everybody is happy with it? Especially when you have to throw in the consideration of Thielen's contract."
According to Over The Cap, Thielen's base salary is $6.25 million this season and he carries a $10.1 million cap hit. Goessling speculates that the draft pick the Panthers get from Minnesota in a hypothetical trade would be downgraded if they're asked to eat some of his salary.
"How much of that do the Vikings pick up? They could afford to pick up all of it, but if you're saying that to the Panthers, you're probably saying, 'Guys, that has to affect the level of the draft pick we're sending back to you.' I think the negotiations are kind of ongoing and being handled on those lines, along those terms. I would expect this is probably a Day 3 draft pick if it gets done and the Vikings pick up some of the salary. I would imagine that's where we end up based on what I've heard," Goessling said.
To vikings:
Thielen
2026 7th (conditional)
2027 5th
To panthers:
2026 5th
2027 4th
Not sure who's paying what portions of his salary.
Fourth seems a little steep, but we need someone in the wr room thats actually caught balls in the regular season. And when Addison is back he will be a good wr3, that imho, will know his role.
makila wrote: ↑Wed Aug 27, 2025 8:56 am
Thielen is back.
To vikings:
Thielen
2026 7th (conditional)
2027 5th
To panthers:
2026 5th
2027 4th
Not sure who's paying what portions of his salary.
Fourth seems a little steep, but we need someone in the wr room thats actually caught balls in the regular season. And when Addison is back he will be a good wr3, that imho, will know his role.
Yeah, the 4th is a little steep but it just reflects the immediate need at WR. On top of that they know what they're getting. The staff has experience with him and they know the fans love him. Hopefully the 4th also reflects how much of his contract the Panthers are eating.
makila wrote: ↑Wed Aug 27, 2025 8:56 am
Thielen is back.
To vikings:
Thielen
2026 7th (conditional)
2027 5th
To panthers:
2026 5th
2027 4th
Not sure who's paying what portions of his salary.
Fourth seems a little steep, but we need someone in the wr room thats actually caught balls in the regular season. And when Addison is back he will be a good wr3, that imho, will know his role.
Yeah, the 4th is a little steep but it just reflects the immediate need at WR. On top of that they know what they're getting. The staff has experience with him and they know the fans love him. Hopefully the 4th also reflects how much of his contract the Panthers are eating.
I'd say they overpaid. He is 35 years old in a position that depends (mostly) on speed. I think a sixth rather than fourth would have been more reasonable.
Yeah, the 4th is a little steep but it just reflects the immediate need at WR. On top of that they know what they're getting. The staff has experience with him and they know the fans love him. Hopefully the 4th also reflects how much of his contract the Panthers are eating.
I'd say they overpaid. He is 35 years old in a position that depends (mostly) on speed. I think a sixth rather than fourth would have been more reasonable.
It wouldn't surprise me if ownership put their thumb on the scales a little. He is insanely popular with the fan base.
I'd say they overpaid. He is 35 years old in a position that depends (mostly) on speed. I think a sixth rather than fourth would have been more reasonable.
It wouldn't surprise me if ownership put their thumb on the scales a little. He is insanely popular with the fan base.
Cliff wrote: ↑Wed Aug 27, 2025 9:45 am
Yeah, the 4th is a little steep but it just reflects the immediate need at WR. On top of that they know what they're getting. The staff has experience with him and they know the fans love him. Hopefully the 4th also reflects how much of his contract the Panthers are eating.
Concur, I think it means the Panthers are paying part of the salary (as I read multiple reports say this had been a little bit of a sticking point between the teams).
I'd say they overpaid. He is 35 years old in a position that depends (mostly) on speed. I think a sixth rather than fourth would have been more reasonable.
It wouldn't surprise me if ownership put their thumb on the scales a little. He is insanely popular with the fan base.
Beyond that, he's about as close to plug and play for us as there is. Maybe KJ being the other. They mostly know what KOC wants to do, they know the organization, and they know their WR1 running mate. It was going to be hard to bring in a WR at this point, and say... we need you start week 1, go. AT can actually do that in this situation I think.
This.