When an athlete reaches his 30s, the retirement discourse is nearly inescapable. After 11 seasons in the NFL, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen, 34, is again facing the question of whether to continue his career.
The veteran playmaker, who has been contemplating retirement for several seasons, recently hinted that he may not be done just yet. In a recent interview, Thielen acknowledged that his future remains uncertain but suggested he still has some gas in the tank.
Carolina Panthers WR Adam Thielen Answers Retirement Rumors
“I think I still have some more football in me,” Thielen revealed in an exclusive Jan. 31 interview with “Mail Sport.”
“We’ll see how that plays out in the next few weeks.”
For Thielen, entering the final year of a three-year, $25 million deal, it’s all about his family and how his body feels a few weeks into the offseason.
“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.
“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.”
Adam Thielen: “I think I still have some more football in me. We'll see how that plays out in the next few weeks.”
The Panthers WR is entering the final year of a three-year, $25 million deal. https://t.co/4LwONg0t3D
— Joe Person (@josephperson) January 31, 2025
Thielen admitted in a press conference the day after Carolina’s season finale overtime win versus the Atlanta Falcons that he’s been contemplating retirement for the past few seasons.
Thielen Likes Improvement From Panthers Quarterback Bryce Young
The last two seasons in Carolina have not been kind to Thielen. After being cut by a Minnesota Vikings team where he was the reason they won for several seasons, Thielen landed with the Panthers.
Carolina has struggled to transition from the Ron Rivera-Cam Newton era but slowly showed signs of growth under second-year quarterback Bryce Young and first-time head coach Dave Canales. The Panthers improved from 2-15 in Young’s rookie season to 5-12 in 2024.
Young and Canales will play an integral role in his decision to return in 2025.
“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,” Thielen said.
“I really believe in what they’re doing,” he added. “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.”
Young finished 46th among the 66 quarterbacks to start a game in the 2023-24 NFL season. This season, 11 quarterbacks fared worse than Young, including Dak Prescott, in PFN’s QB+ metrics.
Why Panthers Need Thielen Back for the 2025 NFL Season
The Panthers are a young team, especially offensively, and they need veteran leadership that Thielen can bring to the roster.
His production doesn’t hurt, either.
Carolina went Young’s way in 2024. Consequently, Thielen got off to a slow start, catching five passes for 69 yards during the team’s 0-2 start. In Week 3 at Las Vegas, he grabbed three passes for 40 yards and his first touchdown of the season.
Unfortunately, Thielen’s season was cut short by seven games after he sustained a hamstring injury in Week 4. But upon his Week 12 return, he showed exactly what the Panthers had been missing. Thielen caught 40 passes on 50 targets for 506 yards and four scores.
Carolina finished the season 4-5 after an abysmal 1-7 start during which Young was benched.