Herald dispatch obits4/19/2023 The Vikings, who still have almost $9 million in cap space to clear before the start of free agency on Wednesday, could make another batch of moves in the next several days. The two sides were ultimately unable to bridge the gap on a reworked deal, however, and Thielen became the second Vikings mainstay to be released this week, after linebacker Eric Kendricks. "I think there's a conversation to be had to really see what that looks like: playing time and roles and responsibilities so that all of our players feel like not only it's a fair compensation for them, but we've got the kind of players where they care a lot about their role and their responsibilities and how they help us win." His teammates voted him as a captain, what he means not only to our organization but the Twin Cities. "Adam is one of those leaders that I speak of. "When you have the receiver that leads the league in yards and receptions and have three other guys with 60-plus, you feel really strong about that group," coach Kevin O'Connell said at the NFL combine last week. He was targeted 107 times, as part of a team that became the ninth in NFL history to have four receivers with at least 60 catches, but saw his opportunities dwindle particularly in the final weeks of the regular season as tight end T.J. Thielen caught 70 passes for 716 yards and six touchdowns in 2022, his seventh season as a starter in Minnesota after one year on the practice squad and two where he was primarily a special teams contributor. Minnesota is - and always will be - home to us." My family and I will always cherish the memories we created on and off the field. I poured everything I had into these last 10+ years in representing and playing for this team and state. "I want to thank everyone within the Vikings organization - coaches, teammates, the Wilf family and fans - for all the love and support I have received over the years. "To go from a kid growing up in Detroit Lakes to playing for the Minnesota Vikings has been a journey beyond what I could have dreamed of," Thielen wrote on Instagram. The 32-year-old receiver had discussed a restructured contract that would have kept him in Minnesota on a reduced salary, according to a source with knowledge of the situation, but seemed inclined to pursue other teams that might offer a larger role in the offense than he would have with the Vikings. Releasing Thielen saves the Vikings $6.41 million in salary cap space, though they will absorb $13.55 million in dead money. The Detroit Lakes native, who went to Minnesota State Mankato on a $500 scholarship and signed with the Vikings after a 2013 rookie camp tryout, leaves with more catches (534) and receiving touchdowns (55) than every player in team history not named Cris Carter or Randy Moss. The Vikings released Thielen on Friday, ending a 10-year run that figures to be recounted for years as one of the unlikeliest success stories in team history. It appears for the first time in his life, Adam Thielen will play his home football games for a team outside of Minnesota.
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