Adam Thielen returns to Minnesota Vikings: ‘Back like I never left’

Vikings WR Adam Thielen: 'Back like I never left'

Adam Thielen spoke with reporters on Thursday from TCO Performance Center for the first time since the Minnesota Vikings acquired him in a trade with the Carolina Panthers.

EAGAN, Minn. (FOX 9) - Adam Thielen walked up to a backdrop to speak with reporters at TCO Performance Center on Thursday and joked, "Back like I never left."

Adam Thielen traded to Minnesota

What we know:

Thielen was in a hot tub doing recovery on Wednesday and getting ready for practice with the Carolina Panthers when he got the news. After two seasons with the Panthers, he was headed back home to the Vikings. Minnesota had a need to fill at wide receiver, with Jordan Addison suspended for the first three games and Jalen Nailor dealing with a hand injury.

The Vikings were thin at the position behind Justin Jefferson, and Thielen gives them another weapon familiar with the offense. He was still shocked it actually happened.

"I just didn’t think this was even a possibility. I thought the next time I would be talking to you guys is when I was signing a one-day contract and retiring. This is pretty surreal," Thielen said.

Thielen’s story

The backstory:

His story is well-chronicled. Thielen is from Detroit Lakes and played football at MSU-Mankato. He earned a roster spot with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent, and spent 10 seasons in Minnesota.

As a Viking, he earned two trips to the Pro Bowl after appearing in 162 games, while recording 685 receptions for 8,311 yards and 64 touchdowns.

Thielen played the past two seasons with the Panthers, starting 27 games, while recording 151 receptions for 1,629 yards and nine touchdowns. He currently ranks third all-time in both receptions (534) and receiving touchdowns (55) and fifth in receiving yards (6,682) for the Vikings. He also worked out the past two offseasons with current Vikings starter J.J. McCarthy, not knowing they would now become teammates.

"Crazy to look at that. When we were working out together, there was no thought of ever actually playing together," Thielen said.

The next task for the Vikings is to carve out Thielen’s role once Addison returns, and Nailor is healthy.

Minnesota Vikings address 53-man roster decisions [FULL]

Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah spoke with reporters on Thursday at TCO Performance Center after deciding the initial 53-man roster. They also talked about the trade for Adam Thielen, named team captains and addressed the mass shooting on Wednesday at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis.