The two-time Pro Bowler says he’ll spend a few weeks with his family away from football before deciding if he’ll play again in 2025.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. β Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen says he’s considering retirement after 11 NFL seasons.Β
The 34-year-old told reporters Monday that he’ll do what he’s done the last couple of offseasons β spend time with his family and focus on his health β before deciding what he’ll do in a few weeks. The two-time Pro Bowl receiver hauled in 48 catches for 615 yards and five touchdowns despite missing five games due to a hamstring injury early in the season.Β
“It’s such a grind mentally and physically that when you’re at this point in the season, there’s a lot of thoughts in your head, right?” Thielen said.Β
Locked On Panthers host Julian Council said there’s no question that Thielen has been a good acquisition for Carolina, as he’s been a favorite target for quarterback Bryce Young over the past two seasons.Β
“He’s just going to take some time, breathe and they’ll figure it out,” Council said of Thielen’s family. “He’s gone through it before the last couple of years, including last season.”
Thielen signed a three-year deal with the Panthers and was a key free agent signing before Frank Reich’s short time as head coach. Next year is the final season of that $25 million contract.Β
“They sold him on the vision of building off a 7-10 finish and building off what Steve Wilks did,” Council said. “They went 2-15 and were not close to winning the division.”Β
Despite the team’s struggles, Thielen turned in one of his most productive seasons in 2023, hauling in 103 receptions for 1,014 yards. It was his first 1,000-yard season since going for over 1,300 in 2018.Β
“I would love to have him back and it’s not really cost-prohibitive,” Council said. “It’s like $8 million to bring him back. They can save $3 million if they cut him. I would want to bring back Adam Thielen but they’ve got to bring in more receivers.”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
