Free agent wide receiver Adam Thielen has a new team.
Thielen announced on Instagram that he will be joining the Carolina Panthers for the 2023-24 season. Prior to the veteran receiver, himself, letting the cat out of the bag, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network was first to report that the two sides had reached a contract agreement. Rapoport additionally passed along that the deal will last three years.
The rebuilding Panthers were in need of receiving help after shipping DJ Moore to Chicago as part of the megadeal which landed Carolina the first overall selection in April's draft.
While the 32-year-old wideout doesn't figure to replace Moore's production outright -- he has not surpassed 1,000 yards receiving since the 2018-19 campaign -- he remains a reliable red zone option, having found the end zone for 30 total receiving touchdowns over the last three seasons.
Thielen and the Panthers had been strongly linked to each other in recent days following his release by the Vikings. His veteran presence should help the early development of whichever signal-caller Carolina ultimately selects with the first pick on April 27.
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