Vikings can target reunion with 8,300-yard weapon in blockbuster deal to solve Panthers’ roster problem

The Minnesota Vikings will be missing Jordan Addison for three games to start the NFL regular season as the 23-year-old serves a DUI-related suspension for the first three games. Rondale Moore is out for the season, and the team’s depth chart is filled with rookies at the receiver position.

J.J. McCarthy isn’t going to uphold the standard Sam Darnold set last year without major help.

SB Nation’s James Dator believes there’s a fit between the Vikings and Carolina Panthers on a trade involving Adam Thielen – solving the latter’s redundancy problem in their WR room while giving McCarthy a trustworthy option to hold the team over until Addison’s suspension has concluded.

“The Carolina Panthers love Thielen, but they have a problem of their own at receiver: They have too many to know what to do with. All signs point to Tetairoa McMillan being their No. 1, with Xavier Legette across from him, and Thielen in the slot. That leaves 2024 breakout UDFA Jalen Coker, Hunter Renfrow, and promising rookie Jimmy Horn Jr. all riding the pine,” Dator wrote.

“The Panthers have often said Thielen is their veteran leadership, glue guy — but depending on how the front office feels about the maturity of the unit, Thielen could be expendable. He would be an ideal fit for Minnesota as a bridge WR, who can offer punch on the outside immediately, and transition to the slot when Addison returns.”

Thielen spoke highly of McCarthy when I asked his thoughts on the former national champion at the University of Michigan in June.

“I have high expectations for (McCarthy). I've been able to be around a little bit through some of the time last summer... back in Minnesota and I think he has the ability to be one of the great quarterbacks this weekend and the face of this league at some point. You know, I think he's got every tool and intangible that you can have,” Thielen said.

“Obviously, it's a difficult league and it's not gonna just be easy, but I think he has the ability to handle adversity to be able to be big and big moments as you saw when he was in college and I think he's got a great support staff around him, whether it be the coaches or the trainers.”

Minnesota would certainly welcome Thielen back. The Detroit Lakes native will always have a home in Minnesota.

We’ll see if there’s any fire to this smoke in due time.