Getty
Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen
The Minnesota Vikings are pushing to get a deal done that would pry Adam Thielen away from the Carolina Panthers — but trade talks remain stalled.
Just hours before the 53-man roster deadline, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Vikings and Panthers have “tried to work out a trade” that would send Thielen to Minnesota, but “the two sides continue to struggle to agree on compensation.”
The Vikings need help at wide receiver to start the season. Jordan Addison is suspended for three games for an alcohol-related offense and Jalen Nailor‘s status is in question after suffering a hand injury in training camp.
But as the Vikings and Panthers remain divided, a new potential wide receiver replacement has emerged — and it would still be a reunion.
Schefter reported on Tuesday, August 26, that the Washington Commanders are releasing former Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn.
A 2020 fifth-round pick, Osborn emerged as a consistent third receiver for the Vikings, tallying 158 receptions, 1845 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns in Minnesota before signing a one-year deal with the New England Patriots.
After a 3-10 start last season, the Patriots waived Osborn, who was picked up by the Commanders last December as a roster add before the postseason.
Thielen and Osborn check most of the boxes that the Vikings are looking for at wide receiver, particularly the mental aspect of understanding and executing in the offense.
However, as the Panthers appear adamant on driving up the price of Thielen, Osborn would come at no cost as a vested veteran free agent.
The Cost to Acquire Adam Thielen vs. K.J. Osborn
GettyWide receiver K.J. Osborn of the Minnesota Vikings warms up prior to the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game against the New York Giants in January 2023.
While the Vikings have ample draft capital and cap space to make a move, Osborn presents a much more spendthrift option for what could merely be a three-game rental in Addison’s absence.
On top of the draft capital required to acquire Thielen from the Panthers, his $6.25 million base salary is also a sticking point for both sides.
Meanwhile, Osborn would likely sign for a veteran minimum in the ballpark of $1 million.
That $5 million difference is meaningful if the Vikings are exploring other moves, which seems to be the case after the team has traded away three meaningful depth players in Harrison Phillips, Sam Howell and Mekhi Blackmonfor Day 3 picks.
The Vikings May Want to Splurge in Adam Thielen Trade
There is a case to spend more on Thielen, who has seen much more success since leaving Minnesota than Osborn.
Thielen has tallied 1,629 yards receiving and nine touchdowns in two seasons in Carolina.
He also has chemistry with J.J. McCarthy, working out with the young Vikings quarterback during the offseason. That could be worth a meaningful splurge, considering McCarthy has not gotten meaningful work with many of his top receivers due to injuries in camp.
“In an ideal world, J.J. McCarthy would have spent his first training camp as the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback throwing to one of the NFL’s best receiving trios: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor. In the real world, however, that happened for only two of the Vikings’ 18 open practices during the 29-day camp,” ESPN’s Kevin Seifert wroteESPN’s Kevin Seifert wrote on August 22.
“Instead, McCarthy has worked with eight different receivers on the first team. Prompted by injuries to Jefferson (hamstring) and Nailor (hand), along with Addison’s three-game suspension (stemming from a 2024 DUI citation) to start the regular season, the carousel carried multiple implications. While it familiarized McCarthy with some receivers he might otherwise not have thrown to, it minimized his opportunities to cement a rapport with the players who will accompany his Week 1 debut at the Chicago Bears — whoever they may be.”
Trevor Squire is a sports journalist covering the NFL and NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Timberwolves and Milwaukee Bucks. Trevor studied journalism at the University of Minnesota — Twin Cities, making stops at the Star Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press. You can reach him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @trevordsquire. More about Trevor Squire
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