Dave Canales, Carolina Panthers
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Dave Canales looks on before the game against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Carolina Panthers are entering the 2025 season with a handful of expectations, which has not been the case over the past couple of seasons. They drafted standout wideout Tetairoa McMillan with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, signed cornerback Jaycee Horn to a lucrative extension, and are getting defensive tackle Derrick Brown back from injury.
Dave Canales is also in his second year as head coach, and after improvements from quarterback Bryce Young last season and the addition of former Dallas Cowboys’ 1,000-yard rusher Rico Dowdle, the Panthers’ offense is poised to have a better year than last.
Which Panthers Wideout Should be Traded?
The Carolina Panthers enter the 2025 season with a more formidable wide receiver group after the addition of McMillan, the one-year deal Hunter Renfrow signed, and another draftee in Jimmy Horn Jr. That could lead to the Panthers’ WR1 last season, Adam Thielen, seeing fewer targets, and making him an attractive trade target.
In Bleacher Report’s article that lists one player that should be on the trade block during the 2025 preseason, Thielen is the player for the Panthers:
“With quarterback Bryce Young entering a pivotal third season, the idea of the Carolina Panthers trading top wide receiver Adam Thielen might seem unwise. However, there are a few reasons why they should consider doing it. Yes, Thielen led all Panthers pass-catchers in receiving yards last season, logging 615 in 10 games. However, he’ll also turn 35 later this month and will be a free agent in 2026. His experience and talent can help Young’s development, but he has little long-term value for Carolina.”
The article also mentioned the idea of Horn Jr. getting a chance to develop with Young with more potential pass-catching opportunities. Thielen could also have a nice market, as he’s a 12-year NFL veteran who is relatively cheap. He signed a three-year, $25 million contract with the Panthers in 2023.
Thielen’s Production Over the Years
Thielen has been such a steady wideout option over his 12 NFL years. He is a two-time Pro Bowler with the Minnesota Vikings and has 8311 yards on 685 receptions and 64 career touchdowns.
With the Carolina Panthers in 2023, Thielen had a surprising 1,000-yard season after his production had dipped over the previous four seasons. He added 615 yards and five touchdowns for the Panthers a season ago in just 10 games and was their leading receiver.
2017 and 2018 were the two years that Thielen was a Pro Bowler, and he hauled in over 1200 yards in both of those seasons.
As far as the market goes and what the Panthers could receive in return for Thielen, the Vikings could certainly be an option after the news of Jordan Addison being suspended for three games of the 2025 season. The Cleveland Browns also need some wide receiver depth in their room. The Indianapolis Colts also come to mind as a team that could use pass-catching help.
The Panthers could ask for either a fifth or sixth rounder for the 34-year-old Thielen. Considering the age and trajectory of his career, Carolina likely couldn’t get much out of him, but a late-round pick would help Carolina’s future.