Heading into his age-35 season, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen knows that his career is closer to the end than it is to the beginning. In fact, Thielen acknowledged this week that the 2025 season could end up being his last in the NFL.
“It could be, yeah,” Thielen said, via The Athletic. “I told you guys at the end of the season, like every year, you look back and you say what left do I have to give to this game? I talked to my family, and they wanted me to keep playing. So it’ll be the same process. I’m not gonna think about that right now. I’m gonna focus on being the best football player I can possibly be. You have to have that mindset in this league.
“And then once the season’s over, evaluate, see where we’re at, see where the team’s at, see where I’m at individually and as a family and figure it out. But yeah, definitely winding down my career, but excited about this year and what could happen.”
Thielen has played 11 seasons in the league, catching 685 passes for 8,311 yards and 64 touchdowns. He played the first nine of those seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, making the Pro Bowl twice and being named a second-team All-Pro in 2017.
For the last two years in Carolina, he has largely operated as Bryce Young’s No. 1 target when healthy and available. He caught 103 passes for 1,014 yards in 2023. His overall numbers dropped quite a bit in 2024 (48 catches for 615 yards), but he also only played in 10 games.
Thielen may not be the top target for Young much longer, though. Thielen is entering the final year of his contract and the Panthers drafted former Arizona star Tetairoa McMillan with the No. 8 overall pick in this year’s draft, likely with the idea of him becoming the eventual No. 1. Still, Thielen should be a valuable piece of the puzzle this coming season, especially considering the chemistry he and Young have developed over the last couple years. And if he makes it through the season still playing at a high level, maybe the Panthers sign him to one more deal to return in 2026 and perhaps beyond.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Andy’s Frozen Custard 300: Kyle Larson, Taylor Gray & more post-race interviews | NASCAR on FOX
NASCAR Xfinity Series Video Details Check out Kyle Larson and Taylor Gray's post-race interview from Andy's Frozen Custard 300. JUST IN・NASCAR Xfinity Series・2:42 NASCAR Xfinity Series Kyle Larson
Kvalifikaci na Velkou senu Miami ovládl Max Verstappen
Online magazín deníku Právo & Seznam.czCopyright © 1996–2025, Seznam.cz, a.s., Borgis, a.s., ČTK, DPA, Reuters, fotobanka Profimedia.Publikování nebo další šíření obsahu serveru Sport.cz je bez písemného souhlasu společnosti Borgis, a.s. zakázáno. RSS kanály serveru Sport.cz jsou určeny pouze pro osobní užití. Jakékoli kopírování, šíření nebo využívání obsahu RSS kanálů serveru Sport.cz bez předchozího písemného souhlasu společnosti Borgis a.s. není dovoleno. Dodavatelem obsahu serveru Sport.cz a osobou vykonávající redakční odpovědnost je společnost BORGIS a.s. Šiřitelem reklamy na serveru Sport.cz je společnost Seznam.cz, a.s., IČO 26168685.
Carmelo Anthony joins NBC Sports as an NBA studio analyst as the league returns to the network
As NBC prepares to welcome back the NBA for the first time in more than two decades, the network is bringing on a decorated analyst. Carmelo Anthony, a 10-time NBA All-Star and a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame's Class of 2025, will join NBC Sports' coverage of the league starting next season, the network announced Saturday.Anthony confirmed the news on social media with a video of highlights, both from Anthony's career and from NBA on NBC over the years.Anthony's new role was introduced during NBC's coverage of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, with the former forward saying that he was excited to be "getting back into a team-oriented" environment.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"Talking the game, speaking the game. Figuring out what's the 'why,'" Anthony said when asked what he was most looking forward to about the gig. "The game within the […]
Mike Tirico abruptly steps away from NBC’s Kentucky Derby broadcast after feeling ‘under the weather’
One of NBC Sports' signature broadcasts was missing one of the network's signature voices at the Kentucky Derby, as Mike Tirico stepped away from the booth on Saturday.The veteran host was feeling "under the weather" during the festivities at Churchill Downs and was replaced mid-broadcast by Ahmed Fareed, who didn't rule out his counterpart making a return.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"Mike, as you may have heard, feeling a little under the weather right now, so I'm going to step in, take over for a bit. It is not like baseball. If the closer comes in, the starter can come back in the game, so rest assured when," Fareed said. "Mike's feeling better, he'll be back right here in this seat."It's unclear what exactly was ailing Tirico, but more than a few social media users noticed him sounding fairly stuffed up while presiding over the […]
Galvão Bueno sinaliza time “enjoado” com defesa sólida no Brasileirão: “É ótimo”
Galvão Bueno, em programa da Band (Reprodução) Galvão Bueno, antes da bola rolar em Corinthians x Internacional, enalteceu o nível alcançado pelo Colorado na defesa. Apesar da ausência de Rochet, machucado, o time gaúcho segue com uma forte solidez, algo capaz de garantir uma presença fixa na disputa pela liderança do Brasileirão. Neste cenário, o desempenho no Maracanã, contra o Flamengo, serviu para o locutor ressaltar o ponto de vista. “O Internacional tá com problema no ataque, mas é um visitante enjoado em 2025.”, iniciou Galvão Bueno, em transmissão do Prime Video. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “Estreou no Maracanã jogando muitíssimo bem no empate contra o Flamengo. Esse time do Internacional, no papel, é ótimo.”, completou. Quer testar seus conhecimentos sobre futebol e ainda concorrer a prêmios? Se inscreva agora no Ligavip. Serão R$10 mil em prêmios todos os meses. E o […]
Atlanta United FC vs. Nashville SC MLS Highlights | FOX Soccer
Atlanta United FC vs. Nashville SC MLS Highlights | FOX Soccer | FOX Sports <!--> --> Video Details Check out the best highlights between Atlanta United FC and Nashville SC. JUST IN・MLS・4:59
Related
Andy’s Frozen Custard 300: Kyle Larson, Taylor Gray & more post-race interviews | NASCAR on FOX
NASCAR Xfinity Series Video Details Check out Kyle Larson and Taylor Gray's post-race interview from Andy's Frozen Custard 300. JUST IN・NASCAR Xfinity Series・2:42 NASCAR Xfinity Series Kyle Larson
Kvalifikaci na Velkou senu Miami ovládl Max Verstappen
Online magazín deníku Právo & Seznam.czCopyright © 1996–2025, Seznam.cz, a.s., Borgis, a.s., ČTK, DPA, Reuters, fotobanka Profimedia.Publikování nebo další šíření obsahu serveru Sport.cz je bez písemného souhlasu společnosti Borgis, a.s. zakázáno. RSS kanály serveru Sport.cz jsou určeny pouze pro osobní užití. Jakékoli kopírování, šíření nebo využívání obsahu RSS kanálů serveru Sport.cz bez předchozího písemného souhlasu společnosti Borgis a.s. není dovoleno. Dodavatelem obsahu serveru Sport.cz a osobou vykonávající redakční odpovědnost je společnost BORGIS a.s. Šiřitelem reklamy na serveru Sport.cz je společnost Seznam.cz, a.s., IČO 26168685.
Carmelo Anthony joins NBC Sports as an NBA studio analyst as the league returns to the network
As NBC prepares to welcome back the NBA for the first time in more than two decades, the network is bringing on a decorated analyst. Carmelo Anthony, a 10-time NBA All-Star and a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame's Class of 2025, will join NBC Sports' coverage of the league starting next season, the network announced Saturday.Anthony confirmed the news on social media with a video of highlights, both from Anthony's career and from NBA on NBC over the years.Anthony's new role was introduced during NBC's coverage of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, with the former forward saying that he was excited to be "getting back into a team-oriented" environment.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"Talking the game, speaking the game. Figuring out what's the 'why,'" Anthony said when asked what he was most looking forward to about the gig. "The game within the […]
Mike Tirico abruptly steps away from NBC’s Kentucky Derby broadcast after feeling ‘under the weather’
One of NBC Sports' signature broadcasts was missing one of the network's signature voices at the Kentucky Derby, as Mike Tirico stepped away from the booth on Saturday.The veteran host was feeling "under the weather" during the festivities at Churchill Downs and was replaced mid-broadcast by Ahmed Fareed, who didn't rule out his counterpart making a return.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"Mike, as you may have heard, feeling a little under the weather right now, so I'm going to step in, take over for a bit. It is not like baseball. If the closer comes in, the starter can come back in the game, so rest assured when," Fareed said. "Mike's feeling better, he'll be back right here in this seat."It's unclear what exactly was ailing Tirico, but more than a few social media users noticed him sounding fairly stuffed up while presiding over the […]
Galvão Bueno sinaliza time “enjoado” com defesa sólida no Brasileirão: “É ótimo”
Galvão Bueno, em programa da Band (Reprodução) Galvão Bueno, antes da bola rolar em Corinthians x Internacional, enalteceu o nível alcançado pelo Colorado na defesa. Apesar da ausência de Rochet, machucado, o time gaúcho segue com uma forte solidez, algo capaz de garantir uma presença fixa na disputa pela liderança do Brasileirão. Neste cenário, o desempenho no Maracanã, contra o Flamengo, serviu para o locutor ressaltar o ponto de vista. “O Internacional tá com problema no ataque, mas é um visitante enjoado em 2025.”, iniciou Galvão Bueno, em transmissão do Prime Video. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “Estreou no Maracanã jogando muitíssimo bem no empate contra o Flamengo. Esse time do Internacional, no papel, é ótimo.”, completou. Quer testar seus conhecimentos sobre futebol e ainda concorrer a prêmios? Se inscreva agora no Ligavip. Serão R$10 mil em prêmios todos os meses. E o […]
Atlanta United FC vs. Nashville SC MLS Highlights | FOX Soccer
Atlanta United FC vs. Nashville SC MLS Highlights | FOX Soccer | FOX Sports <!--> --> Video Details Check out the best highlights between Atlanta United FC and Nashville SC. JUST IN・MLS・4:59
Be the first to leave a comment