Thielen another cap casualty?

[kkuenn 3,599]

Article in Thielen and the Chiefs being a fit.

 

https://arrowheadaddict.com/2023/03/05/adam-thielen-possible-intriguing-addition-kc-chiefs/

 

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 08: Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on January 08, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Adam Thielen could make intriguing addition for KC Chiefs

 

by Matt Conner4 hours agoFollow @MattConnerAA

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The Kansas City Chiefs could make Adam Thielen the sort of addition that JuJu Smith-Schuster was this season.

As of right now, Adam Thielen isn’t available, but that’s technically true of a lot of players who will be seeking employment in a matter of weeks. From the outside looking in, it seems only a matter of time until the Minnesota Vikings release the popular wide receiver to recoup some much-needed cap space heading into a new league year.

When it comes to the Kansas City Chiefs, Thielen is an intriguing name to bring up as a potential free agent signing, a talented wide receiver whose best days are behind him yet still has something left in the tank. Given several parameters on both sides—for both player and team—it feels like the sort of short-term relationship that could work for all parties involved.

Consider this: the Vikings already employ the best young wide receiver in the game in Justin Jefferson and they’re in the hole by over $23 million at this point, per Spotrac. The idea of cutting Thielen is nothing new for Vikings fans, as the team could save a quick $6.4 million with the decision, and it looks like an even more obvious choice when you acknowledge that Thielen isn’t quite the game-breaking target that he used to be.

Thielen hasn’t made a Pro Bowl since 2018—Patrick Mahomes’ first season in the league—so those days of dominance are behind him, but he’s remained a very steady receiver for Minnesota in the years since then. Last year, Thielen had 70 catches for 716 yards and 6 touchdowns and showed he can still be reliable by playing in all 17 games for the Vikings. The truth is that Thielen can also still be a menace in the red zone, as illustrated by his 30 touchdowns in the last three years—not bad for post-prime numbers—and Mahomes is the sort of statistical inflator that will make his numbers look even better.

For the Chiefs, here’s where this gets interesting. Thielen is not going to command any sort of massive deal in free agency, and his prime goal at this point is likely winning after putting together such a long career in Minnesota. Even though he’s stated that he wants to retire with the Vikings, Thielen’s wife posted this just a month ago:

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Remember, it was only a year ago that the Chiefs gave JuJu Smith-Schuster a one-year deal worth $2.5 million guaranteed with loads of incentives based on production and playing time. In the end, Smith-Schuster got a lot more money than that, but the Chiefs also saw him step right into a starring role on offense in a bounce-back season that nearly saw him reach the 1K-yard mark.  It makes sense for the Chiefs to offer this same sort of deal to Thielen who would enjoy playing with Mahomes and Travis Kelce and have a projected path toward a Super Bowl like never before.

For the Chiefs, Thielen would give them a productive veteran who could surprise given a change of scenery alongside a lot of returning players with variables like Skyy Moore (who rarely played), Kadarius Toney (who is often injured), and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (who can be inconsistent). The Chiefs could allow Smith-Schuster to walk toward a greater payday (or play hardball and hold firm knowing they have another option) and keep a proven productive player around hungry for a championship.

The arrangement would only likely last a single season, but the idea of bringing Thielen into K.C. would be a nice gain for everyone. It would also allow the Chiefs to draft another player this year while not plugging him in immediately. The cost should be fair, the drive for the player will be high, and the offense can remain as deep and dangerous as ever.

[kccrow 529]

I dunno, 33 when the season hits. Not a Veach type of move at WR it seems.

I'm pining for Parris Campbell (yeah, yeah, my inner Buckeyes' fan hood might bleed through a touch) because he's kind of just a faster version of JuJu. 

[kkuenn 3,599]

Well here is another tweet linking us to Hopkins too who is getting up there in age.

 

 

[mex 65,581]

3 hours ago, kccrow said:

I dunno, 33 when the season hits. Not a Veach type of move at WR it seems.

I'm pining for Parris Campbell (yeah, yeah, my inner Buckeyes' fan hood might bleed through a touch) because he's kind of just a faster version of JuJu. 

PC would thrive with Mahomes.... he's also amazing on jet sweeps.

[Iluvhouse24 1,808]

1 hour ago, mex said:

PC would thrive with Mahomes.... he's also amazing on jet sweeps.

I'm all in on Campbell. Outstanding combo of size and speed. He could be a weapon working with a real QB. 

[jetlord 10,209]

The word is out.  The Chiefs are needing more receivers.  So every talking head has every possible WR coming to them.  None seem to consider that most of the names are declining vets with high cap numbers and short remaining careers.  The only way the Chiefs should take a vet WR is if the cap hit is low and it's a one year deal, two at the most.  This team could be good for years but the best way to do that is to draft well, trade solid players for more draft picks, don't overpay except for a very few core players, and especially don't trade draft picks for players over 30.  Staying on top won't be easy.  Drafting at the end of every round, paying numerous pro bowl players, having the first place schedule every year, and avoiding key injuries.  Just can't afford to make FA mistakes.  

[mex 65,581]

Just now, jetlord said:

The word is out.  The Chiefs are needing more receivers.  So every talking head has every possible WR coming to them.  None seem to consider that most of the names are declining vets with high cap numbers and short remaining careers.  The only way the Chiefs should take a vet WR is if the cap hit is low and it's a one year deal, two at the most.  This team could be good for years but the best way to do that is to draft well, trade solid players for more draft picks, don't overpay except for a very few core players, and especially don't trade draft picks for players over 30.  Staying on top won't be easy.  Drafting at the end of every round, paying numerous pro bowl players, having the first place schedule every year, and avoiding key injuries.  Just can't afford to make FA mistakes.  

They can pick up vet WRs and still win the SB... proved that this year.

[jetlord 10,209]

5 minutes ago, mex said:

They can pick up vet WRs and still win the SB... proved that this year.

But that was on of my points.  One year contract at low cost with a few incentives for JuJu and a deal with MVS that allows the Chiefs an out without breaking the bank.  FAs are a part of the game, but no reason to get locked into three/four year deal with older players.  If Hopkins wants to come to KC to play with Pat and go for a ring, give him a JuJu type deal.  He won't take it, but the Chiefs won't be losing Gay or Sneed because they overpaid him.   

[Iluvhouse24 1,808]

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/03/06/report-allen-robinson-gets-permission-to-seek-trade/

[Iluvhouse24 1,808]

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/03/06/report-rams-to-release-leonard-floyd-if-no-trade-partner-found/

[Iluvhouse24 1,808]

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/03/06/report-titans-to-release-bud-dupree/

[Iluvhouse24 1,808]

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/03/06/report-titans-are-shopping-derrick-henry/

[Iluvhouse24 1,808]

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/03/06/report-four-year-150-million-deal-for-derek-carr/

[Thegoatee 1,780]

Imagine if some of these dudes gave up big salary for a couple of years to make a super team and have a chance to play with the best QB.

[jetlord 10,209]

1 hour ago, Thegoatee said:

Imagine if some of these dudes gave up big salary for a couple of years to make a super team and have a chance to play with the best QB.

Which do you think would have a major impact on the Chiefs chances of repeating?  

[Lamardirts 2,114]

Every FA wr's agent would be an idiot not to include the Chiefs in media reports.  It helps drive up their price with a team that clearly will be upgrading that position.  I've gone back and forth a little on Hopkins but have cooled of late.   When wr's fall off the cliff they fall hard.   Hard pass on all those guys.  

[jetlord 10,209]

6 minutes ago, Lamardirts said:

Every FA wr's agent would be an idiot not to include the Chiefs in media reports.  It helps drive up their price with a team that clearly will be upgrading that position.  I've gone back and forth a little on Hopkins but have cooled of late.   When wr's fall off the cliff they fall hard.   Hard pass on all those guys.  

I would still like to see Hopkins in KC but only if he's released by the Cards first and is willing to sign a one year deal with the Chiefs like JuJu did.  

[Lamardirts 2,114]

50 minutes ago, jetlord said:

I would still like to see Hopkins in KC but only if he's released by the Cards first and is willing to sign a one year deal with the Chiefs like JuJu did.  

I would be down with that.  I was under the impression it would take a new deal.  I wouldn't hate it if they released him or traded a late late draft pick (5-7) for his current contract because there are no guarantees if Juju can't be resigned.   I feel the same way about Juju.  I think 15 million is the most I would be comfortable signing him for.  He is good an probably worth more than that in this current market to another team but he isn't worth more than that to this team.  JMO though.

[Joe_Chief 1,092]

I read that the Cards are looking for a 2nd rounder for DHop.

[jetlord 10,209]

1 hour ago, Joe_Chief said:

I read that the Cards are looking for a 2nd rounder for DHop.

Yeah, and maybe the Chiefs are looking for a day two pick for CEH.  Good luck with that.  I don't understand how it works, but wouldn't the Chiefs be on the hook for Hopkins' contract if they traded for him?  That's why the Cards haven't been able to move him yet.  If he's released, teams can cut their own deal with him and it will be much cheaper.  I'd pay Hopkins, but not for more than two years and not close to his present contract.