Panthers' Thielen Trade: Win or Loss?

0:00It's April 25th. Welcome to NFL News Today, powered by AI. I'm Cory with the story. As the 2026 NFL draft kicks off this weekend, teams are caching in on old trades, including that big swap last August when the Carolina Panthers send wide receiver Adam Thielin back to the Minnesota Vikings. Carolina shipped him over, along with a conditional, 2026 7-ground pick and a 2027 5th rounder. In return, they grabbed a 2026 5th round pick and a 2027 4th round pick. The Panthers turned that 5th rounder into pick number 158 overall, which they're set to use soon. Vikings, meanwhile, land pick number 235 from their conditional 7th and hold on to that 2027 5th rounder. Coming their way. Thielin came back to Minnesota hoping to recapture his glory days from 2017 and 2018 when he racked up over 2,500 yards.

1:01But it didn't click. In 11 games, he only hauled in 8 catches for 69 yards before the Vikings waved him on December 1st. Pittsburgh Steelers scooped him up off waivers the next day. He suited up for their final 5 games, snagging 11 passes for 117 yards that helped them snag the AFC North Crown and a playoff spot, though he wrapped his career with two catches for 25 yards in a wildcard loss. To Houston, right now the edge goes to Carolina in this deal, since Thielin flamed out with the Vikings. Those future picks could shift things, but for the moment, the Panthers hold the win as the draft shakes out what these selections bring.