Insider Speculates Patriots’ Possible Interest In Two-Time Pro Bowler

Veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen was waived by the Minnesota Vikings on Monday after the 35-year-old posted just eight catches for 69 scoreless yards across 11 games this season in his return to the organization.

New England Patriots insider Chad Graff of The Athletic speculated whether the AFC East leaders would have interest in the two-time Pro Bowler, citing connections between Thielen and members of Mike Vrabel’s coaching staff.

“Adam Thielen wants to finish his last NFL season with a playoff team. Depending on health with Patriots WRs, I wonder if they’d consider him,” Graff posted on Bluesky. “Thielen overlapped with Thomas Brown in Carolina and with Todd Downing in Minnesota.”

Adam Thielen wants to finish his last NFL season with a playoff team.Depending on health with Patriots WRs, I wonder if they'd consider him.Thielen overlapped with Thomas Brown in Carolina and with Todd Downing in Minnesota.

— Chad Graff (@chadgraff.bsky.social) 2025-12-01T17:23:55.150Z

Thielen spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Vikings from 2014 to 2022 before playing for the Carolina Panthers in 2023 and 2024.

Todd Downing was Minnesota’s offensive assistant in 2018 and is now the Patriots wide receivers coach.

Thomas Brown served as Carolina’s offensive coordinator in 2023 and is now New England’s passing game coordinator and tight ends coach.

With the Patriots’ facing health concerns on their offensive line, wide receiver isn’t the most pressing need for the group.

Other than Stefon Diggs, no other wideout on the team has recorded more than 32 catches or 417 receiving yards this season, however, so the unit could always use help.

Rookie wide receiver Kyle Williams, in particular, has struggled with consistency, posting just four catches for 110 yards and one touchdown across 12 contests this fall.

Perhaps Thielen could provide more veteran leadership in New England’s wide receivers’ room.