Adam Thielen

Adam Thielen married Caitlin Thielen in 2015. They have three children, including two sons named Asher and Hudson.

Thielen is a practicing Christian. He is the son of Pete and Jayne Thielen.

Thielen played college football for the Minnesota State Mavericks from 2009 to 2012 after redshirting his first season. In 2010, he was named Minnesota State's Offensive Player of the Year and earned second-team All-NSIC South Division honors after leading the team with 41 receptions, 686 receiving yards, and six touchdowns.

His senior season was his most productive. Thielen led Minnesota State with 74 receptions, 1,176 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns while also serving as the team's primary punt and kickoff returner. The Mavericks finished 13-1 and advanced to the NCAA semifinals. He finished his college career with 198 receptions, 2,802 receiving yards, and 20 receiving touchdowns, and was named a team captain and first-team All-NSIC South Division selection.

Thielen went undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft before signing with the Minnesota Vikings. He was initially waived during final roster cuts and joined the practice squad, then earned a place on the active roster after a strong preseason in 2014. He made his NFL debut that season and became an important special teams contributor, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after blocking a punt and returning it for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers.

Thielen developed into a starting receiver in 2016, when he recorded a career-best 202 receiving yards and two touchdowns against the Green Bay Packers. In 2017, he surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the first time, made his first Pro Bowl, and received second-team All-Pro honors as the Vikings won the NFC North.

His record-setting stretch came in 2018. Thielen recorded at least 100 receiving yards in each of the Vikings' first eight games, establishing the NFL record for consecutive 100-yard receiving games to begin a season. He finished that year with 113 receptions, 1,373 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns, and was selected to his second Pro Bowl.

Thielen produced 14 receiving touchdowns in 2020, the most by a Vikings player in a season since Randy Moss had 17 in 2000. An ankle injury limited his 2021 season and required surgery, but he returned to start all 17 games in 2022. The Vikings released him after that season.

Thielen joined the Carolina Panthers in 2023 and started all 17 games. He recorded 103 receptions for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns, producing his first 100-reception and 1,000-yard season since 2018. He appeared in 10 games in 2024 and finished with 48 receptions, 615 yards, and five touchdowns.

The Panthers traded Thielen back to the Minnesota Vikings in August 2025. He played in 11 games for Minnesota before the team waived him in December. The Pittsburgh Steelers claimed him the following day, and he made five appearances for Pittsburgh, recording 11 receptions for 117 yards.

Thielen announced his retirement from professional football on January 14, 2026. He finished his NFL career with 704 receptions, 8,497 receiving yards, and 64 receiving touchdowns in 178 regular-season games.