What’s the Feelin’ on Thielen?

Gone is Mike Zimmer and the Minnesota Vikings perform calling of old. In is offensive-minded head coach Kevin O’Connell. Although it’s expected that Minnesota’s offense will acquire a stage forward, what does that glance like for getting old veteran Adam Thielen alongside arguably the league’s greatest extensive receiver in Justin Jefferson?

Minnesota has constantly been house to Adam Thielen, and the “One of Us” narrative is so enjoyment with him. That mentioned, Thielen understands he’ll be 32-decades-old this time and is coming off a sizeable harm. He’s agreed to a restructured offer making cap place this year, but he’ll be compensated handsomely in 2023 and 2024.

Suppose Thielen returns each healthy and productive, which remain significant dilemma marks. What does his role in the Vikings offense appear like?

Obviously, there is no doubt that Thielen will commence alongside superstar Justin Jefferson. He also isn’t the deep threat or burner that Jefferson is possibly. Thielen’s match has extended been crafted close to route jogging to develop separation and palms that don’t ever offer doubt. How O’Connell decides to employ that from a playbook that Thielen described as “the most understanding (he’s) at any time experienced to do” remains to be noticed.

The last season Thielen played a full 16-match plan was 2018, conveniently the previous time he built the Professional Bowl. Participating in just 10 game titles the adhering to yr, Thielen unsuccessful to major 500 yards for the initially period given that turning into a starter. In the past two seasons, the Minnesota State Mankato product or service has place up 925 and 726 yards, respectively, whilst hauling in just around 130 receptions. What is notable around the course of 2020/21 is how quarterback Kirk Cousins has opted for him in the red zone.

It is really hard to argue that Thielen is some significant-bodied vast receiver or a prolific leaper, but all over again his separation will come from route working. With a shorter area, the capability to make fast cuts can be exploited and supply little home windows for a quarterback to use. Two decades in the past, Thielen eclipsed double-digit touchdowns (14) for the initially time before performing it once more very last yr (10) in just 13 games.

In the very last a few seasons, Thielen has witnessed his yards per reception fall. It bottomed out in 2021 at 10.8. That could be a development based on use but also by design and style. Owning Thielen operate intermediate routes to shift the sticks and produce sure-handed alternatives for a link may perhaps be useful in attempting to unfold out the secondary on the edges. We have not but seen what O’Connell’s offense will look like, but we know what Thielen has trended in direction of.

There isn’t likely to be some type of career renaissance that has Thielen all of a sudden torching defenders down the sidelines. Will he be applied in conjunction with K.J. Osborn, although, or could he be relegated to something of a redzone specialist? How his overall health responds possible plays a essential variable in all decisions, but looking at just what the Vikings do to make use of a person they are in essence married to by way of 2024 will be a fascinating scenario review in the yr in advance.

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