Adam Thielen came to the Vikings in the spring of 2013 as an undrafted free agent try out, entering the 2017 season he finds himself as one of the team’s top priorities heading into free agency.
Multiple reports say the Vikings have placed a second-round tender on Thielen ahead of the start of free agency.
According to ESPN’s Ben Goessling, Thielen will be paid nearly $2.8 million if he signs the tender and remains with the Vikings this spring.
He is coming off a career year that saw him lead the Vikings with 69 catches and 967 yards last season. He said last month that he would like to sign a long-term contract – noting that he wants to continue to play in his home state.
Thielen is a Detroit Lakes-native and was a standout wide receiver at Minnesota State University in Mankato.
.@GoesslingESPN on Adam Thielen: "Certainly think there's interest in a long-term deal. Longer you wait though the more expensive will get."
— ESPN 102.3/AM1000 Sioux Falls Sports Leader (@ESPNSiouxFalls) March 8, 2017
If he signs an offer sheet with another club, the tender means the Vikings would have the right to match the offer or receive a second-round draft pick as compensation.
The Star Tribune notes that the tender doesn’t stop the Vikings from re-signing Thielen to a long-term deal during the offseason.
