The Carolina Panthers are a team on the rise, but their collection of young talent could lead to an Adam Thielen trade. Signed ahead of the 2023 season, the veteran has been one of the few constants in Carolina’s passing attack over the past two seasons. Despite missing seven games, he still led the 2024 Panthers with 48 receptions for 615 yards and five touchdowns.
However, all good things must come to an end, and Bleacher Report‘s Kristopher Knox believes the team must trade Adam Thielen. Citing the presence of impressive first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan and the rest of the young depth chart, Knox thinks the 35-year-old Thielen would do better on a playoff contender and that the Panthers would prefer to play their young talent. While Knox never lists a potential destination, it’s easy to see which teams could use him.
“The Panthers should have themselves a new No. 1 receiver in rookie first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan,” Knox writes. “While trading Thielen might immediately hurt the offense, it would also open up opportunities for young pass-catchers like McMillan, fellow rookie Jimmy Horn Jr., and Xavier Legette.”
Panthers Urged to Trade Wide Receiver Adam Thielen
Possible Fits
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills have the arguably the game’s best quarterback in Josh Allen, and his presence alone ensures this team will have an elite offense. However, they could use more security at the wide receiver position. The jury is still out on second-round pick Keon Coleman, and while slot receiver Khalil Shakir is a solid player, he shouldn’t be the only proven threat on the roster. Adam Thielen may not be a 1,300-yard player at this stage in his career, but he’s more reliable than free agent journeyman Joshua Palmer.
Kansas City Chiefs
Rashee Rice will almost certainly face a suspension at some point in the 2025 season, which means the Kansas City Chiefs could use another wide receiver. A healthy and available version of Rice is easily the best receiver on this roster, but his inevitable suspension and return from a season-ending knee injury make him a risky gamble in 2025. Add in an already banged-up Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy after an up-and-down rookie season, and this depth chart has a concerningly wide range of outcomes. An Adam Thielen trade would give this team some much-needed security at the position as Kansas City hopes to rebound from their lopsided Super Bowl loss.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers spent the offseason adding as much veteran talent as possible, so they might as well keep it going with an Adam Thielen trade. D.K. Metcalf is a legitimate weapon, but the rest of the depth chart leaves something to be desired. Perhaps Calvin Austin or Roman Wilson can put it all together in the upcoming season, but Thielen’s presence could give this offense a safe fallback option if they continue to disappoint. Aaron Rodgers is no longer capable of carrying an offense by himself, and someone like Thielen could help this team finally win a playoff game.
Main Photo: Jim Dedmon – Imagn Images
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