NFL Rumors: Panthers eyeing Adam Thielen as DJ Moore replacement
Adam Thielen was released by the Minnesota Vikings as a salary cap casualty during the 2023 NFL offseason. He has spent his entire career with the franchise and has been a reliable wide receiver in their system. He's now an unrestricted free agent and able to sign with any team that offers him a contract ahead of the 2023 NFL season.
The Carolina Panthers have reportedly expressed interest in signing the veteran wide receiver. They are looking to replace DJ Moore after trading him away to the Chicago Bears to acquire the number one overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.
Update: The #Panthers are "attempting" to sign both former #Vikings WR Adam Thielen and former #Lions WR DJ Chark, according to ESPN
Carolina recently traded away WR1 DJ Moore to the #Bears and need to replace him. https://t.co/KPcRrARcgy
The Panthers are also apparently interested in signing DJ Chark, who is currently a free agent after playing for the Detroit Lions last year. While Adam Thielen figures to have plenty of potential landing spots, Carolina seems to make a ton of sense. They are in need of wide receivers, so he could play a major role in their offensive system immediately.
Adam Thielen is an ideal fit for the Panthers in 2023
Adam Thielen has recorded at least 65 receptions and 700 receiving yards in each of his last six seasons in Minnesota, excluding a 2019 campaign derailed by injuries. He's proven to be capable of playing a large offensive role, which the Panthers desperately need right now.
The Panthers are almost definitely going to be selecting a quarterback with the top overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. It's unlikely they would have traded up to number one if they weren't targeting a quarterback like Bryce Young or CJ Stroud. The only issue is that whichever rookie they select will need a reliable wide receiver to connect with, especially after the Panthers moved on from DJ Moore.
Moore has been the top wide receiver in Carolina since joining the team in the 2018 NFL draft. He has recorded at least 55 receptions and 750 yards in all five of his seasons so far, while also exceeding 1,150 yards three times. His departed production leaves a massive hole in the Panthers' offensive scheme that Adam Thielen can help fill.
In addition to his production on the field, Thielen can also bring veteran leadership that their offense is currently missing. He could potentially help develop some of their young talent as they build for the future under new head coach Frank Reich.