Adam Thielen, Vikings agree on 3-year deal
Minnesota State alum and Detroit Lakes native Adam Thielen says he's returning to the Minnesota Vikings next season. Minnesota State alum and Detroit Lakes native Adam Thielen says he's returning to the Minnesota Vikings next season.
Detroit Lakes native and Minnesota State product Adam Thielen's second NFL contract will keep him close to home.
If his new deal pays out its max value, he could soon own the little town, population: 9,000.
The Minnesota Vikings agreed to a new three-year contract -- worth a reported $17 million with a maximum value of $27 million -- with the restricted free agent, who posted the news on his Instagram account Thursday.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRtuauLjL-4/
Thielen shattered his previous career highs across the board last season, leading the Vikings with 967 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
He made headlines on Christmas Eve, hauling in a 71-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Sam Bradford, which was part of a 12-catch, 202-yard game, in the Vikings' 38-25 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
A former undrafted free agent, Thielen had a combined 20 receptions for just 281 receiving yards in his first two seasons.
The move comes days after former Vikings receiver and Pro Bowl kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson left the Vikings for the Oakland Raiders in free agency.
Thielen signed with the Vikings in 2013 after a standout senior season at Division II Minnesota State.
He racked up 1,176 receiving yards and eight touchdowns as a senior while serving as the Mavericks' primary kick returner, including a 128-yard performance against Valdosta State in the NCAA semifinals.