Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen expects to return in Week 10, but the Panthers could trade the two-time Pro Bowler before he makes it back to the field. A former undrafted free agent, Thielen spent the 2010s establishing himself as one of the league’s more reliable set of hands with the Minnesota Vikings. While he’s no longer the 1,300-yard force he was at the peak of his career, he can still be an effective player in the right system. Last year, Thielen recorded 103 receptions for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns as the only reliable part of Carolina’s passing attack.
While he has played well when healthy, the Panthers don’t need him anymore. At 2-7, the season is effectively over and head coach Dave Canales wants to see what he has in promising first-round pick Xavier Legette, undrafted free agent Jalen Coker, and fourth-round pick Ja’Tavion Sanders. For what it’s worth, Sports Illustrated‘s Albert Breer reports Adam Thielen would welcome a trade to a contender, as the aging wideout wants to spend his final years fighting for a title. Looking around the league, the Pittsburgh Steelers make the most sense as a potential destination.
Panthers, Steelers Could Agree to Adam Thielen Trade
The Pittsburgh Steelers always find a way to tread water under head coach Mike Tomlin, but this is the first time in years they’ve been a serious threat in the AFC. Ever since Ben Roethlisberger suffered his elbow injury in early 2019, the Steelers have struggled to find an answer at the quarterback position. Whether it was Mason Rudolph, a washed-up Roethlisberger, or first-round pick Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh could not figure out the quarterback position. That changed in 2024, and the team is once again near the top of the AFC.
Justin Fields and Russell Wilson are not in the MVP race by any stretch of the imagination, but these two are providing the Steelers with competent quarterback play. With these two supporting a strong defense, the Steelers lead the AFC North with an impressive 6-2 record. However, they should add another wide receiver to hold off the high-flying Baltimore Ravens. George Pickens is remarkably talented, but the same cannot be said for Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin, and Scotty Miller. Adam Thielen might not be the player he once was, but the trade target should be the second-best option on the depth chart, assuming he truly is healthy.
Would the Panthers Do This?
The Steelers need Adam Thielen, but what would a trade look like? So far, it’s been a buyer’s market, with players like DeAndre Hopkins and Diontae Johnson receiving minimal returns in trades. Thielen can still help a team, but he’s well past his prime and is coming off a multi-week injury. Seeing as the Panthers could only get a fifth-round pick for Johnson and their sixth-round selection, Thielen probably won’t net more than a sixth- or seventh-round pick. For such a minimal return, the Panthers might prefer to keep Thielen around.
Adam Thielen is under contract for one more season, and the Panthers will try and compete in 2025. With Legette and Coker showing promise, Thielen could round out the depth chart and give Carolina’s next quarterback three reliable sets of hands. Assuming Pittsburgh doesn’t overpay for his services, Carolina would probably prefer to retain the two-time Pro Bowler. If they do trade Adam Thielen, it will probably be as a personal favor to a player who has been one of the few bright spots of the last two years.
Main Photo: Bob Donnan – USA Today Sports
