After an injury-plagued 2024 season, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen is making one thing clear—he’s not done yet. The 34-year-old two-time Pro Bowler dismissed speculation about retirement and confirmed his plans to return for another NFL season.
“I have some more football in me!” Thielen told Ben Nagle of Daily Mail in an exclusive interview, silencing any doubt about his future.
A Season of Struggles, But Not the End
Thielen’s 2024 campaign was far from ideal. Nagging hamstring injuries limited him to just 10 games, and his production suffered as a result. He managed 615 receiving yards and five touchdowns, marking his lowest statistical output since 2019 when he was still with the Minnesota Vikings.
Despite his personal struggles, Thielen remains fully committed to the Panthers’ vision, even after a disappointing 5-12 finish that saw Carolina miss the playoffs for the second straight year since his arrival.
Taking Time to Reflect
After the grueling season, Thielen admitted he needed time away to recover both physically and mentally before deciding whether to return.
“I definitely needed those two weeks to just get my energy back and spend quality family time, get away,” he explained. “I think I still have some more football in me. We’ll see how that plays out in the next few weeks.”
The decision wasn’t made lightly. Thielen consulted his family and reflected on his body’s ability to withstand another year of competition.
“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,” he said. “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.”
Why Thielen is Betting on Carolina’s Future
A key reason for Thielen’s decision to return? The growth of quarterback Bryce Young and the leadership of head coach Dave Canales.
“I think that’s what has enticed me to want to play again,” Thielen said. “Just the progression, the leadership, the type of things that they’re doing to try to create a winning culture. I really believe in what they’re doing.”
The Panthers’ young franchise quarterback, Bryce Young, endured a tough rookie season but showed signs of progress in his second year. The former No. 1 overall pick finished with:
- 2,403 passing yards
- 15 touchdowns, 9 interceptions
- 60.9% completion rate
- 82.2 passer rating
- 249 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns
For a team in transition, Thielen’s experience and leadership could play a crucial role in Young’s continued development.
What’s Next for Thielen and the Panthers?
With his return confirmed, the focus now shifts to how Carolina builds around him. The Panthers desperately need more offensive weapons, and Thielen’s veteran presence could be invaluable as they reshape their roster for a stronger 2025 campaign.
Though the end of his career is clearly in sight, Adam Thielen isn’t ready to walk away just yet. And as the Panthers look to climb out of mediocrity, they’ll need every ounce of his leadership, experience, and playmaking ability to turn things around.
