Adam Thielen highlights prove value for Panthers, potential NFL trade partners

The Carolina Panthers have a major decision to make on the trade market with Adam Thielen.

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

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen is on the trade block in the days leading up to the 53-man roster cutoff deadline.

Thielen finds himself as a starter alongside first-round picks Xavier Legette and Tetairoa McMillan, but the Panthers could get some value from him in a trade. While Thielen is 35 years old, he still has the ability to be a top contributor for an offense this season.

Thielen was hurt for seven games from Weeks 4-10, limiting his production. However, when he came back, he looked like a top-tier receiver during the Panthers offensive renaissance.

Adam Thielen during the final seven weeks of the 2024 season:

• 40 receptions
• 506 yards
• 4 touchdowns

He averaged 5 receptions, 72 yards, and 12.7 yards per reception during each game during that stretch.#KeepPoundingpic.twitter.com/BlQqsKYiFO

— ✰ (@ThomasWrrld) July 14, 2025

The Panthers should keep Thielen's recent production in mind when weighing their options on how to move forward with the veteran wideout. Thielen has one year remaining on his contract, so the Panthers should consider the idea of getting some value from him in return.

That being said, Thielen is a capable veteran target for third-year quarterback Bryce Young. The Panthers have David Moore and Hunter Renfrow, but neither are as good as Thielen.

The reason the Panthers would trade Thielen is because they have a lot of rising talent in the receiver room, freeing up targets for players like Jalen Coker, Legette and McMillan.

The Panthers would also have to consider the return package for Thielen. If they can find a way to land a fifth-round pick for him, it might have to be a move the Panthers consider. However, it shouldn't make sense to trade him for a pick swap or a seventh-round pick.

Thielen should be traded, but only if the price is right.

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

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