The Panthers have engaged with Minnesota on trade conversations surrounding Thielen, Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thielen is currently heading into the final year of his restructured contract with Carolina and weighed the possibility of retirement this offseason, so the 35-year-old could be attracted by the idea of returning to Minnesota, where his NFL career began. The Vikings expect Justin Jefferson (hamstring) to be ready for Week 1, but Jordan Addison (suspension) won't be eligible to play in the first three games of the regular season, Jalen Nailor (hand) and Tai Felton (arm) are currently dealing with injury, and Rondale Moore (knee) is on IR and out for the year. Thielen would still project as a starter if he were to remain with the Panthers, but Carolina has an abundance of depth at wide receiver and could be motivated to allot as many reps as possible to the development of younger players like Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker behind new No. 1 option Tetairoa McMillan (hamstring).

Thielen brought in his only target for 10 yards in Friday's 30-10 preseason loss to Cleveland.

EDGE Analysis

Thielen made a clean sideline catch in the first quarter before making an early exit with the rest of the first-team offense in Friday's preseason opener. The 34-year-old flirted with the idea of retirement this past offseason before deciding to suit up for at least one more season with the Panthers. Thielen remained productive in 10 active games with Carolina last year, producing a 48-615-5 receiving line over that span. Look for the two-time Pro Bowler to operate as one of quarterback Bryce Young's top targets out of the gate in 2025.

Thielen finalized a restructured contract with the Panthers on Wednesday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thielen said in early February that he wants to play for at least another year, and he'll be able to do that for a third campaign in Carolina on a revised contract. The veteran wideout's 48 catches and 615 yards last season were his fewest since 2019, but he played in only 10 games due to a hamstring injury and still managed to catch five touchdowns. Despite the missed time, Thielen led Carolina in both receiving yards and receiving TDs last season, and he'll likely continue to be a top target for up-and-coming QB Bryce Young next year.

Thielen relayed Thursday that he intends to continue his playing career during the 2025 season, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thielen has one year remaining on the three-year, $25 million deal that he signed with the Panthers in March 2023. In two campaigns in Carolina, he has one 1,000-yard season under his belt (2023), averaged 10.8 YPC and 8.2 YPT and scored nine touchdowns in 27 games. Even as he enters his age-35 season, Thielen clearly still has something to give to what appears to be an ascendant offense under the direction of 2023 top overall pick Bryce Young.

Thielen said Monday he intents to evaluate his potential playing future now that Carolina's regular season has concluded, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thielen said he's currently leaning a certain direction but isn't ready to reveal his thoughts. The 34-year-old veteran has one year remaining on his contract with the Panthers, though Carolina has a potential out this offseason with only $5 million in dead cap. Still, Thielen was again one of Bryce Young's most trusted targets in the passing game during the 2024 campaign, in which he compiled a 48-615-5 line on 62 targets, despite suiting up for just 10 games. If Thielen decides to continue his NFL career, it would seem in the best interest of both sides for him to stick with the Panthers.

Thielen secured five of six targets for 44 yards in the Panthers' 44-38 overtime win over the Falcons on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Thielen made his usual solid contributions in the season-ending victory, finishing second in receptions and targets and third in receiving yards. Thielen was a key element in Bryce Young's resurgence over the second half of the campaign, and after a second straight productive season in Carolina, he could certainly be back in 2025 for what would be his contract year.

Thielen secured five of six targets for 110 yards and two touchdowns in the Panthers' 48-14 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Thielen led the Panthers in receptions and receiving yards while finishing second in targets, and he was on the receiving end of both of Bryce Young's touchdown passes (17, 40 yards). The veteran wideout's multi-score tally was his first of the season, and he'll take aim at the vulnerable Falcons secondary to close out the season in Week 18.

Thielen (hamstring) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game in Tampa Bay.

EDGE Analysis

The Panthers placed a cap on Thielen's practice reps Thursday and Friday due to a hamstring issue, but it won't stop him from being available to the Panthers offense in Week 17. He'll be facing a banged-up Buccaneers secondary Sunday that he took for eight catches (on 10 targets) for 99 yards and one touchdown back in Week 13.

Thielen was limited at practice Thursday due to a hamstring injury, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

After not being included on Carolina's first practice report of the week Wednesday, Thielen was added to it one day later. His practice restrictions may be maintenance-related, but the health concern is a new one for the veteran wide receiver. As such, Thielen's status will be monitored as the weekend draws closer to get a sense of his potential to play Sunday at Tampa Bay.

Thielen corralled five of six targets for 43 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 36-30 overtime win over the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Thielen cashed in one of Bryce Young's two touchdown strikes Sunday, bringing the receiver's season line up to 38-461-3 in eight starts. The 33-year-old Thielen has been particularly lethal since returning from injured reserve in Week 12, averaging 6.0 receptions and 70.4 yards with two of his three TDs coming over that five-game span. Those numbers are good enough for starting consideration in Week 17 against Tampa Bay in virtually any format.