Carolina Panthers superstar Adam Thielen has poured cold water on rumors of his NFL retirement and exclusively revealed to Mail Sport that he plans to return in 2025.
Injuries limited the wide receiver to 10 games in 2024 and come the end of the Panthers’ 5-12 season he admitted he would take three weeks to contemplate his future, refusing to rule out the possibility of hanging up his cleats.
Having spent time on vacation with his family those three weeks are up, and Thielen, 34, now feels more clear about his future and told Mail Sport in Florida: ‘I have some more football in me!’
Speaking after a round of golf at Hilton Grand Vacations’ LPGA Tournament of Champions, the 11-year NFL veteran said: ‘I mean, I definitely needed those two weeks to just get my energy back and spend quality family time, get away.
‘Yeah, I think I still have some more football in me. We’ll see how that plays out in the next few weeks.’
Opening up on the past few weeks, he added: ‘It was really about just taking those last few weeks to evaluate how I’m feeling, how my family’s feeling, what’s their mindset.
Adam Thielen plays a shot at Hilton Grand Vacations’ LPGA Tournament of Champions
Thielen is set to return for another season in Carolina after contemplating retirement
‘I think there’s probably more times now that you’re like, “all right, there’s probably not much more.” So you know there’s an end in sight, but when that exactly will be is kind of a year to year thing.’
Thielen is a two-time Pro Bowler who spent his first nine seasons in Minnesota, before signing a three-year, $25 million contract with the Panthers in 2023.
It has been a tough two seasons for the team in Carolina, but Thielen admits that Bryce Young’s much-improved second season, and the work of head coach Dave Canales as he heads into his own second year, have been an integral part of his decision-making process.
‘I think that’s what has enticed me to want to play again is just the progression, the leadership, the type of things that they’re doing to try to create a winning culture,’ he added.
‘I really believe in what they’re doing. So there’s a lot to look forward to, especially with Bryce and his progression. And then, you know, just being able to add some pieces and see what happens.’
Thielen was limited to just 10 games for the Panthers last year as he struggled with injuries
The receiver chats with Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins and the Panthers’ Andy Dalton
When time does eventually come for Thielen to call it a day, he is looking forward to spending more time with his wife Caitlin, and three children Asher, Hudson and Cora.
Aside from that, he is keen to ‘play as much competitive golf as he can’, and while coaching is not in his future, he is eyeing a career in front of the TV cameras.
‘Probably not coaching, but I would love to be in the media,’ he revealed. ‘What that looks like, I don’t know. I want to stay around the game, but I also don’t want to have a full-time job – well, more than a full-time job – like a coach.’
Before that, though, a return to the Carolina Panthers beckons, and Thielen looks set for a 12th year in the big time.
