Adam Thielen Reveals This AFC Team Did Not ‘Want Me’

Adam Thielen Reveals This AFC Team Did Not ‘Want Me’

Adam Thielen hit free agency at 32-years-old after the 2022 season. The former Vikings receiver embodied consistency and reliability for many year in Minnesota but wanted a fresh start. It’s clear he did not have much of a future there after Justin Jefferson‘s meteoric rise to stardom. His massive contract signed this offseason is only further proof of that. Before eventually landing with the Carolina Panthers, however, he had his sights set on a completely different team. The AFC team that rebuffed him will surprise you. Check out what he said at a celebrity golf event in Nevada below:

#Panthers WR Adam Thielen tells us he wanted to go to Kansas City last offseason but that the #Chiefs didn't want him pic.twitter.com/Jm2J5weCBC

— Starcade Media (@StarcadeMediaKC) July 12, 2024

Can you believe it? He was all-in on winning a championship with the Chiefs. Unfortunately for him, Brett Veach did not exactly have the same idea. The former Minnesota State wideout had a down year before hitting free agency, which hurt potential opportunities and suitors.

He eventually landed in Carolina for a three-year deal worth $25 million. While the team suffered massively without their first-round pick in 2023, Thielen had a solid bounceback year individually. Receiving passes from #1 pick Bryce Young, Thielen caught 103 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns. Those receptions and yards figures are both the most in a season since he last made the Pro Bowl in 2018.

Imagine That…

Thielen proved he still has gas left in the tank after another 1,000 yard season. However, what do you think his numbers would look like had Patrick Mahomes threw him the ball? Andy Reid just about always finds a way to get all of his receivers involved and there’s no doubt that No. 19 would be any different. Unfortunately for him the timing of his down year and contract status did not work in his favor.

It is definitely a nice fit at face value but everything happens for a reason. In particular, no one in Kansas City is probably losing sleep over that. Reminder that they added both Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy this offseason. As if they were not dangerous enough, the Chiefs added two more speed threats to stretch the field even more.

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In a funny little summer edition of What-Ifs, there is a world where Adam Thielen could have signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Unfortunately, he missed out on a great run through the AFC and a Super Bowl ring.

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