CHARLOTTE — The Panthers parlayed their depth at wide receiver and ability to develop there into a deal that adds to their future draft capital.

Wednesday morning, the team agreed to trade veteran wideout Adam Thielen to the Vikings for a collection of future picks.

The Panthers will receive a 2026 fifth-rounder and a 2027 fourth-rounder from the Vikings.

They'll give the Vikings Thielen, a conditional 2026 seventh-rounder, and a 2027 fifth-rounder.

That's effectively the value of a fourth-round pick, which the Vikings didn't have at the moment.

Thielen, who just turned 35, caught 103 passes for the Panthers in 2023, after signing here as a free agent. Despite missing seven games with a hamstring injury last year, he added another 48 catches for 615 yards and five touchdowns.

He spent his first nine seasons with the Vikings, catching 534 passes for 6,682 yards and 55 touchdowns, and going to two Pro Bowls.

The Panthers kept seven wide receivers on their initial 53-man roster.

They still have first-round picks Xavier Legette and Tetairoa McMillan, along with Jalen Coker, David Moore, Brycen Tremayne, and Jimmy Horn Jr..

Didn't really pay much attention to Adam in Carolina, but the tape shows he was still moving well. I've seen some great athletes hit their mid-30s and look like they're running in molasses. The hands are still there (check the insane one-handed catch at 2:58). He pulled a hammy in week 3 and didn't return until later in the year. Injuries are always going to be a concern at that age. But Jerry Rice played into his 40s. Who knows, maybe 19's got something left in the tank. 

Were not going to turn it into a strength, but we gotta do something

Cornerback (4)

Byron Murphy Jr.: What would this room look like had the Vikings not spent handsomely to bring Murphy back? It’s a frightening question. An injury to him would leave the secondary bereft.

Isaiah Rodgers: Flores sought him out, and in training camp, you could see why. Rodgers is tough. He can run. He has ball skills. He must live up to expectations for this defense to reach its potential.

Jeff Okudah: He was signed to play a specific role. He’d play on the short side of the field. He’d use his long arms to impede receivers. It might work. It might not. Replacements need to be at the ready.

Dwight McGlothern: They affectionately call him “Nudie” inside the TCO Performance Center. His ball skills keep him around. Consistency has been the major hurdle.


NY Times

Now that the 11:00 AM Central deadline for waiver claims has passed, the Minnesota Vikings can start constructing their practice squad for the 2025 season.

The practice squad can contain 16 players, ten of whom have to have between zero and two seasons of NFL experience. The other six spots can be occupied by players with any level of NFL experience.

The practice squad can expand to 17 players if a team brings in a player who is part of the NFL’s International Player Partnership Program, as the league will grant one exception per team for such players. Punter Oscar Chapman, who was with the Vikings during training camp, would get such an exception if the team decided to bring him back to the practice squad and potentially serve as insurance for incumbent Ryan Wright.

I have seen nothing yet.  If you see anything, please keep it rolling here.
Inquiring minds want to know.

One thing lost in the roster moves yesterday was that CJ Ham was put on IR (minor ankle surgery) with a return designation at least 4 weeks away and no FBs on roster

"C.J. Ham to Injured Reserve
After much suspense and anticipation, the Vikings dropped their initial 53-man roster on Tuesday, highlighting Ham’s IR fate.

Vikings.com‘s Lindsey Young wrote: “The Vikings on Tuesday placed fullback C.J. Ham and outside linebacker Tyler Batty on Injured Reserve-Designated to Return. The moves occurred during roster reductions and mean both players must miss at least the first four games of the season.”

Two back sets?  Oliver or Yurosek motioning into FB when needed?  Use a lineman?  Do we have a plan?  I realize that a lot of teams don't have a FB on the roster but it seems to be part of KO's game planning.

You heard it here first. Aidan is a dog and a half, an excellent player with tons of attitude. Will Fries is an enforcer/protector he pops guys and lets them know about it. Yep, Hutch will be on Darrisaw's side mostly but not always...they'll move him over O'Neill sometimes. And any stunt or chip that Fries gets with Aidan, he's going to give it to him. You're going to see the Vikings O-line be feisty for the first time in awhile, its going to be contagious. But Aidan and Will are going to get heated after the whistle, guaranteed. We are finally going to punch back on both sides of the football, because the D and Jon Allen are those guys as well.

https://www.nfl.com/news/panthers-trade-...-minnesota

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Mike Giardi
@MikeGiardi
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13h
"Between the rookies and the 11 free agents who made the team, the Pats have turned over 41.5% of the roster from last season. They aren't done, nor should they be."

Drake Maye is on his 2nd offensive coordinator and they just turned over a major part of their roster....and most disturbing, he's got Bradbury as his center. 

People talk about Caleb tanking, keep an eye on what IMO is the 2nd best chance to disappoint guy in the group, Drake Maye. The temperament intangibles are the ones that make the difference. This is also why I'm low level stoked for Brosmer, he's going to turn out to be a guy you can win games with short term which is ideal QB2 territory, a gamer.