ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the Carolina Panthers plan to retain veteran wide receiver for the 2025 season, despite speculation about his future. The team is also considering restructuring his contract into a new one-year deal.
Top star 34, recently confirmed his decision to return for his 12th NFL season after weighing the possibility of retirement. He made the announcement at the New Orleans Convention Center following an interview with Panthers legends Jake Delhomme and Jonathan Stewart.
“I had said after the season, like I just need two weeks to really think about it,” he told the team’s website. “And then once I make that decision, I’m like, I’m going to do one more year. Then that’s my mindset, and here we go. I didn’t want to be wishy-washy, like maybe, maybe not.”
With his return, Thielen will continue to provide veteran leadership and stability for the Panthers’ receiving corps as they look to build on their offensive progress heading into 2025.
Adam Thielen enters final year of contract, remains committed to Panthers’ rebuild
Adam Thielen is entering the final year of the three-year, $25 million contract he signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2023. Despite speculation about his future, the Panthers plan to keep the veteran wide receiver for the 2025 season, with the possibility of restructuring his deal into a new one-year contract.
Thielen played a pivotal role in the Panthers’ offense last season, recording 615 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 10 games. Although injuries, including a lingering hamstring issue, limited his availability, he remained one of the team’s most dependable targets when healthy.
The Panthers endured a challenging 2024 campaign, finishing with a 5-12 record and missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year since Thielen’s arrival. However, the two-time Pro Bowler remains optimistic about the team’s future, particularly with the development of quarterback Bryce Young, which he cited as a major factor in his decision to return.
“I would say that was 95 percent of the reason for wanting to play again,” Thielen said. “Because when you’re part of something, I always said the reason I came to Carolina in the first place was I wanted to be part of building something. So if that wasn’t being built and I didn’t see that it was progressing and going in the right direction, it would have been a lot easier to be like, all right, I’m ready to move on and start the next part of my life.”
Thielen’s leadership and experience will continue to be valuable assets for the Panthers as they aim to rebound in 2025 and support Bryce Young’s growth as a franchise quarterback.