Career Timeline of Adam Thielen: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Adam Thielen built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Adam Thielen is a professional American football wide receiver who most recently played for the Carolina Panthers. He is known for his ten seasons with the Minnesota Vikings after joining them as an undrafted free agent in 2013, after playing college football for the Minnesota State Mavericks. Thielen holds NFL records including eight consecutive games with over 100 receiving yards, and 74 receptions in the first half of a season.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2008: Redshirt Season

In 2008, Adam Thielen redshirted at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

2009: Freshman Season

In 2009, as a freshman, Adam Thielen played in nine games for Minnesota State University, Mankato, catching 21 passes for 252 yards and one touchdown.

2009: Surpassed 1,000 Yards

In 2017, Adam Thielen surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the season, becoming the first Vikings receiver to do so since Sidney Rice in 2009.

2010: Offensive Player of the Year

In 2010, Adam Thielen was named Minnesota State's Offensive Player of the Year and selected for the All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) South Division second-team after leading the team with 41 receptions for 686 yards and six touchdowns.

2011: All-NSIC South Division Selection

In 2011, Adam Thielen was a second-team All-NSIC South Division selection for the second-straight season, hauling in 62 passes for 715 yards and five touchdowns, while also handling kick and punt return duties.

2012: All-NSIC First-Team

In 2012, Adam Thielen was named to the NSIC South Division All-NSIC first-team, the Daktronics Super Region No. 3 second-team, and the Don Hansen Super Region second-team after leading the Minnesota State receiving corps with 74 receptions for 1,176 yards and eight touchdowns, helping the Mavericks to a 13–1 record.

May 6, 2013: Vikings Sign Adam Thielen

On May 6, 2013, Adam Thielen signed a three-year, $1.48 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent.

August 31, 2013: Waived and Signed to Practice Squad

On August 31, 2013, Adam Thielen was waived by the Minnesota Vikings but was signed to the practice squad the next day.

2013: Regional Combine Invitation

In 2013, Adam Thielen attended a Regional Combine in Chicago and a Super Regional Combine in Dallas after not receiving an invitation to the NFL Combine.

2013: Signed with the Vikings

In 2013, Adam Thielen signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent after playing college football for the Minnesota State Mavericks.

2014: Earned Spot on 53-Man Roster

In 2014, after a strong preseason performance, Adam Thielen earned a spot on the Minnesota Vikings' 53-man roster.

2015: Special Teams Player of the Year

In 2015, Adam Thielen was honored as the Minnesota Vikings Special Teams Player of the Year.

January 3, 2016: Fake Punt against the Packers

On January 3, 2016, Adam Thielen ran for 41 yards on a fake punt, totaling 67 rushing yards, in the game against the Packers, helping the Vikings clinch the NFC North title.

December 24, 2016: Career Day at Lambeau Field

On December 24, 2016, Adam Thielen had a career day with a 202-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Green Bay Packers, becoming one of the few Vikings to achieve 200+ receiving yards and two touchdowns in a single game.

2016: "Unsung Hero" for the Minnesota Vikings

In 2016, Adam Thielen led the Vikings with 967 receiving yards, 69 catches, and five touchdowns. NFL.com named him their "Unsung Hero" for the Minnesota Vikings.

March 15, 2017: Signed Contract Extension with Vikings

On March 15, 2017, Adam Thielen signed a three-year contract extension with the Minnesota Vikings.

September 11, 2017: Strong Season Opener

On September 11, 2017, Adam Thielen had a strong start to the season with nine receptions for 157 yards against the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football.

December 19, 2017: First Pro Bowl Selection

On December 19, 2017, Adam Thielen was named to his first Pro Bowl.

2018: 1000 yard season since 2018

In 2018 Adam Thielen recorded his first 100-reception and 1,000-yard season since 2018.

2018: Record-Breaking Season

In 2018, Adam Thielen tied Calvin Johnson for the record for most consecutive 100 yard games in a year, with 8, and broke the record for most consecutive 100 yard games to start a season in NFL history. He finished the season with 113 receptions for 1,373 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns.

2018: Ranked #36 on NFL Top 100 Players

In 2018, Adam Thielen was ranked #36 by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018.

April 12, 2019: Signed Contract Extension

On April 12, 2019, Adam Thielen signed a four-year, $64 million contract extension with the Vikings, keeping him under contract through the 2024 season.

2019: Ranked #33 on NFL Top 100 Players

In 2019, Adam Thielen was ranked #33 by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019.

December 29, 2021: Placed on Injured Reserve

On December 29, 2021, Adam Thielen was placed on injured reserve due to an aggravated ankle injury that required surgery, following his return in Week 16.

2021: Ranked #80 on NFL Top 100 Players

In 2021, Adam Thielen was ranked #80 by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021.

2022: Thielen's 2022 Season

In 2022, Adam Thielen returned as a starting wide receiver, starting all 17 games and recording 70 catches for 716 yards and six touchdowns.

March 10, 2023: Thielen Released by Vikings

On March 10, 2023, the Vikings released Adam Thielen as a salary cap move.

March 19, 2023: Thielen Signs with Panthers

On March 19, 2023, Adam Thielen signed a three-year $25 million contract with the Panthers.

2024: Contract Extension

In April 12, 2019 Adam Thielen signed a four-year, $64 million contract extension with the Vikings, keeping him under contract through the 2024 season.

2024: Thielen's 2024 Season

In the 2024 season, Adam Thielen appeared in ten games, finishing with 48 receptions for 615 yards and five touchdowns.

August 27, 2025: Thielen Traded to Vikings

On August 27, 2025, the Panthers traded Adam Thielen, a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick, and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick.