Thielen: “Hopefully I Can Retire As a Viking”

Photo: Vikings.com

EAGAN, MN (KDLM) – Minnesota Vikings offseason workouts continued today at TCO Performance Center in Eagan with workouts geared towards strength, conditioning, team meetings, and learning.

Wide receiver Adam Thielen, fresh off some family time in Florida, was at TCO on Tuesday to talk to the media and answer questions about the upcoming off-season schedule and the coaching and scheme changes to work through.

“It’s a lot of learning,” said Thielen. “The last few years, it’s been the same system. So there hasn’t really been a lot of learning other than learning how they’re going to call plays, which you really didn’t find out until Week One. This year, it’s completely different terminology, different formations. But it’s exciting. It keeps it fresh and new.”

New Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell was the offensive coordinator the the Super Bowl champion LA Rams this season, and bring with him a prolific passing scheme that saw Rams WR Cooper Kupp lead the NFL in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Wes Phillips, who was LA’s passing coordinator last season, is the new Offensive Coordinator in Minnesota.

“I’ve always felt that no matter what system I’m in, I’m going to find a way to master it,” said Thielen. “Whatever they ask me to do, I’m going to try and help this team win football games. I’m really excited about the offense and the new offensive scheme that’s coming. We’ve kind of been watching it from afar, we saw it in action last season, and it’s been good to dive in over the last couple of days. I think it’s gonna be great for our skill position guys. They’re gonna find ways to get the ball into our playmakers’ hands.”

Thielen started 13 games for the Vikings last season. He missed two games after suffering an ankle injury against Detroit in Week 13. He started against the LA Rams in Week 16 before reagrivating the ankle injury, which required season-ending surgery.

“My trainer (Ryan Engelbert at ETS) had me lean-out this season,” said Thielen, who is now entering his 10th pro season. “This is probably the lightest I’ve ever felt. We have switched things up a little bit this year. I’m excited about the way I feel after the injury and the way I feel after surgery. I feel great.”

With all of the changes this off-season, the Vikings salary cap situation was worrysome for fans, and which players they would have to trade or release in order to make the numbers work. Ultimately, Thielen signed a restructured deal that gave the Vikings some salary flexibility for the 2022 season.

“There are a bunch of reasons why we did it,” Thielen said. “At the end of the day, I wanted to be here. I wanted to help this team win. And I wanted some security. I want to play ball. I want to have fun with my teammates. I don’t want to worry about things like free agency or contracts. It accomplished that. It helped the team create some cap space. I’d hate to not be here with all the changes and all the excitement. I would hate to leave at this point in my career. I’m really excited to be here and hopefully, someday, I can retire as a Viking.”