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4 teams that could have trade interest in Panthers WR Adam Thielen

anthony rizzuti
·2 min read

The youth movement may soon begin for the Carolina Panthers, who just dropped to a 1-6 record following a 40-7 loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday. And if that is eventually the case, 34-year-old wideout Adam Thielen might not be around for it.

With the trade deadline now two weeks away, here are four potential landing spots for the two-time Pro Bowl pass catcher:

Kansas City Chiefs

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 20: Head coach Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs talk prior to a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 20: Head coach Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs talk prior to a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Patrick Mahomes may be the best quarterback in the world who is playing for the best team in the NFL, but even he needs some help.

Kansas City is without Marquise "Hollywood" Brown and Rashee Rice for the rest of the regular season and just saw JuJu Smith-Schuster go down with a hamstring injury in Week 7. Thielen would provide a much-needed safety valve for Mahomes and a strong veteran presence to an fluctuating wideout room.

Baltimore Ravens

Oct 21, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) is congratulated by quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) after he scored a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Oct 21, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) is congratulated by quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) after he scored a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Winners of five straight, the Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson are flying high at the moment. But what if they could fly higher?

Baltimore's offense has their go-to target in Zay Flowers, their deep threat in Rashod Bateman and a couple of playmaking tight ends in Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. What they don't have is a trustworthy underneath technician like Thielen, who can bring a different element to this surging group.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Oct 20, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin (right) congratulates quarterback Russell Wilson (3) on his touchdown pass against the New York Jets during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Oct 20, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin (right) congratulates quarterback Russell Wilson (3) on his touchdown pass against the New York Jets during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Steelers, even with Russell Wilson now under center, appear to be for real. They will, though, need an extra boost or two on offense to keep the ball moving.

25-year-old Calvin Austin III has been Pittsburgh's primary slot receiver through seven games. Thielen, although quite a bit older and slower, would be an upgrade there.

Minnesota Vikings

Oct 20, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) hugs head coach Kevin O'Connell before the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Oct 20, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) hugs head coach Kevin O'Connell before the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The 5-1 Vikings also seem to be for real. So how about a reunion?

Thielen could be a nice fit for head coach Kevin O'Connell's offense, which doesn't have a clear-cut answer out of the slot. Trent Sherfield (52.2 percent), Brandon Powell (49.4) and Jalen Nailor (44.7 percent) have the team's three highest snap shares from the inside.

Jan 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) during pregame warm ups against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) during pregame warm ups against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: 4 teams that could have trade interest in Panthers WR Adam Thielen