Once thought of as a master of the Minnesota Vikings offense, Adam Thielen says he is still adapting to learning the playbook since returning home.
Thielen was traded back to Minnesota by the Carolina Panthers a little over a week ago after spending his first ten seasons with the Vikings.
The 35-year-old veteran said headed into this season that head coach Kevin O’Connell’s offense sounds a bit unfamiliar, but he is working on it.
Thielen Says it Sounds Like His Teammates Are Speaking Chinese
“Anybody that knows me knows that I’m not the smartest guy in the world,” Thielen said at media availability on Sept. 4. “It’s definitely a different offense. I told my wife the other day. It’s like you know English really well and Chinese you don’t know, but they’re saying the same thing. So, you know the concept, you know how it’s supposed to run, but when you’re in the huddle and you’re hearing Chinese, it’s like what the heck just happened. I don’t know where I’m supposed to line up, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”
Thielen said more practice reps will be better for consistency. He credits his coaches, teammates, and Vikings staff.
Thielen, a Minnesota Guy, is Happy to be Home
Thielen, a hometown guy from Minnesota, said the transition from North Carolina has been “a lot” for his family as he has three young children with his wife, Caitlin.
“Never overwhelming, but it’s a lot for sure” he said. “(My wife’s) been crushing it.”
The move is happening as the new school year is getting underway.
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 15: Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings is seen with his kids on the field prior to the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 15, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
“My wife’s a rock star,” Thielen added.
Overall, Thielen is happy to be back home.
“I’m like a kid in a candy shop,” he said. “This is what I love to do. Obviously this place means so much to me. So I’m just happy to be here. I’m happy to be in that huddle with a great group of guys, and great coaches.”
Thielen and Jefferson Reuniting, Once Considered Elite Duo
Thielen is not only reuniting with O’Connell but his former pupil Justin Jefferson, as the Minnesota offense has turned into one of the perennial squads in the NFL.
Thielen said it’s been “awesome” watching Jefferson mature into leader at practice.
GettyGLENDALE, ARIZONA – JANUARY 13: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams during the NFC Wild Card Playoff at State Farm Stadium on January 13, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
“Just like we never left,” Thielen said. “It’s been cool to see his maturity. I was with him as a young player and he was a very mature guy at that point in his career. But just to see him helping out other guys and caring about them in the individual drills. It’s really cool to see. And in fact, we were kind of laughing about it, but he’s been helping me out with the plays, which is just funny, because it was obviously the opposite early in his career.”
With one the best defensive coordinators in Brian Flores running the other side of the ball, the big question that remains for the Vikings is the quarterback position.
How good will 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy be, following Sam Darnold’s 14-3 season leading the team?
The Vikings open the season at the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football.
Adam Thielen Opens Up on Biggest Challenges Since Returning to Vikings