Vikings' homegrown legend retires from NFL after 13 seasons

Billy Heyen

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Vikings' homegrown legend retires from NFL after 13 seasons image

Adam Thielen was a Minnesota kid through and through.

He was born in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, and went to high school there. He played his college ball at Minnesota State in Mankato.

And then he ascended, improbably, to NFL stardom with the Minnesota Vikings.

Now, Thielen has finally called it quits. A 13-year NFL career is complete, with his retirement announcement on Wednesday.

"What a ride it has been!" Thielen wrote on Instagram. "13 years what a blessing! Have been blessed with so many great relationships and mentors over the years that I am forever grateful for! Thank you to everyone who has supported me through the years it has meant everything to my family and I!"

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Thielen was undrafted out of Minnesota State, and he had to grind through a couple of non-impactful seasons with the Vikings to start his NFL career (practice squad in 2013, 8 catches in 2014, 12 catches in 2015).

But then in 2016, he broke out. He had 69 catches for 967 yards that season.

He made the Pro Bowl the next two campaigns, with 91-1276 and 113-1373 stat lines for the Vikings.

All told, Thielen played in parts of 10 seasons with the Vikings, including part of the 2025 campaign. He made 542 Minnesota catches for 6,751 yards and 55 touchdowns.

Thielen spent two seasons in Carolina (151-1629-9).

He closed out his career with the Steelers at the end of this season with 11 grabs for 117 yards.

Thielen's final career stats: 704 receptions, 8,497 yards and 64 touchdowns.

Not bad for an undrafted kid from Minnesota who got to fulfill his wildest dreams with the Vikings.

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Staff Writer