In August, the Minnesota Vikings decided to make a trade with the Carolina Panthers for veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen. While Thielen is probably happy to have a second stint with his hometown team, Justin Jefferson is just as excited to have his former teammate back.
The Vikings and Panthers spent over a week negotiating the trade, with some of the hold-up tied to draft pick compensation.
Ultimately, the Vikings finalized a complex deal, sending a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick to the Panthers in exchange for Thielen, a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick, and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
Vikings' Justin Jefferson talks Adam Thielen return
While speaking on "Vikings Gameday Live" on FOX 9, Jefferson shared his thoughts on having Thielen back in the Minnesota dressing room.
"It's been great, honestly, just having that happy vibe back in the building," Jefferson said. "He's always ready to work and comes prepared every single day, and that's what I love about him most. He was that big brother to me, keeping me under his wing, and that's the same type of vibe I try to have for him as well."
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Moreover, Thielen was willing to do everything to facilitate a move back to the Vikings. In August, ESPN reported, citing sources, that Thielen accepted a $2 million pay cut to make the trade from the Panthers back to Minnesota possible.
The Panthers had awarded him a $1.5 million raise in the offseason, bringing his total 2025 compensation to $7 million. However, during trade talks, the Panthers declined to cover part of Thielen's salary. His willingness to accept the pay cut ultimately helped finalize the deal.
"Obviously, you guys know without me saying it, how much this place means to me," Thielen said in August. "The state, the city, this organization, [ownership], coaches, players. I couldn't be more excited, and there's nothing I could say to tell you how excited I am to be back home in my family."