CHARLOTTE, N.C. β After taking time to consider his future, it appears Panthers veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen will return for the 2025 season, pushing retirement away for at least one more year.Β
Thielen told the Daily Mail about his decision while attending an LPGA tournament in south Florida. The 11-year pro is entering the final season of a three-year contract he signed with the Panthers in 2023.Β
“Yeah, I think I still have some more football in me,” Thielen said. “We’ll see how that plays out in the next few weeks.”
Thielen told reporters he was considering retirement after the team’s regular season finale in Atlanta. The two-time Pro Bowler said he planned to spend a few weeks with family focusing on healing up before deciding if he’d give it another go in 2025.Β
Thielen missed five games this season due to a hamstring injury he suffered against the Raiders.Β
Wide receiver continues to be a question for the Panthers entering the draft and free agency. With Thielen expected back, general manager Dan Morgan may consider looking to rebuild one of the NFL’s worst defenses instead of looking for a dynamic playmaker.Β
Carolina enters next season with just three receivers under contract: Thielen, last year’s first-round draft pick Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker, who became a reliable target for Young over the last month of the season.Β
Should the Panthers look for a big-name free agent receiver, they’ll have plenty of options, including Tee Higgins, Amari Cooper, Chris Godwin and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown.Β
