Winners, losers in Panthers' major blockbuster Adam Thielen deal

Adam Thielen is leaving the Carolina Panthers in a trade back to the Minnesota Vikings.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen walks off after practice at training camp | Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

The Carolina Panthers are moving on from Adam Thielen by trading him to the Minnesota Vikings, where he played for a decade to start his NFL career.

With Thielen gone, here are two winners and losers for the trade:

Winner: Adam Thielen

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen is congratulated after he scored a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Thielen, a Minnesota native, gets to go home and play with the franchise that got him his start in the league.

There's a good chance Thielen will be able to retire with the Vikings, potentially after the 2025 season. This will allow him the chance to finish where things started.

Loser: Bryce Young

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young rushes against the Houston Texans. | Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Young relied on Thielen a lot during his first two seasons in the league, especially once the receiver returned from injury last year.

Without Thielen, Young still has strong assets in Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker, but the third-year pro won't have a solid veteran to help make things easy when times get difficult.

Winner: Jalen Coker

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker during Fanfest at Bank of America Stadium. | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

All of the younger Panthers receivers could be placed in this winner spot, but Coker gets an extra special shout-out.

Coker wasn't expected to be in the starting lineup for the Panthers with Thielen on the roster. Now that he's with the Vikings, Coker will likely line up next to McMillan and Legette, the last two Carolina first-round picks.

Loser: Jordan Addison

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison takes part in drills during the teams training camp. | Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Addison suffered a three-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy, which is part of the reason why the Vikings made the move for Thielen.

Once Addison returns from suspension, he'll be fighting for targets against Thielen and Justin Jefferson, who could be the league's best wide receiver.

- Enjoy more free Panthers coverage with Carolina Panthers on SI - 

Vikings insider names key factor in Adam Thielen trade talks with Panthers

Carolina Panthers 2025 roster cuts tracker: QB Jack Plummer first to go

Panthers should call Patriots about 9-INT safety they’re actively shopping

NFL execs ESPN Panthers stay Jaycee Horn among worst top-100 snubs