It’s hard to find a more linear career trajectory than that of Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen.
You’ve heard the story by now: undrafted Division-II wideout earns a rookie camp tryout with the team he grew up cheering for; he makes the practice squad, works his way up the ranks as a special teams workhorse; he rises from backup receiver to starter and becomes the leading pass catcher on a 13-3 NFC Championship qualifier.
There’s hardly been a bump in the road for the 27-year-old Thielen. Each season he’s taken another stride in his development. Each year has brought about more progress in his ascension.
After a 91-catch, 1,276-yard campaign in 2017 that earned him a Pro Bowl bid, are there any more doors that Thielen has yet to unlock?
“I think I need to continue to learn the game a little better,” Thielen said at mini-camp, “understand coverages, understand what guys are trying to take away with certain leverages and things like that, and then just figuring out the quarterback, what he likes.”
The quarterback is Kirk Cousins, arguably the best quarterback with whom Thielen has been paired; the third different quarterback for Thielen in his three years as a bona fide starter. In 2016, Thielen burst onto the scene catching passes from Sam Bradford. Last year, he solidified his status as Case Keenum’s favorite target.
The chemistry between Cousins and Thielen has already begun to take shape, despite a couple speed bumps during spring practices. During 11-on-11 drills on Wednesday, Cousins led Thielen a couple inches too far during red-zone drills, and the receiver couldn’t hang on for a would-have-been touchdown. Earlier that day, they got crossed up on a play, which led to an on-field brainstorming session.
“It is a process of saying, ‘Hey, this is the way I’ve done if for six years. You’ve done it a different way for five years,'” said Cousins. “‘Let’s try to talk about why you’ve had success, why I’ve had success. Let’s find some middle ground. Let’s decide whether I’m going to learn your way, you’re going to learn my way.’”
Thielen, ranked 36th on NFL Network’s latest Top 100 list, has become one of the league’s most formidable targets thanks to impressive open-field speed that most defensive backs underestimate, strong hands that seem to haul in virtually any contested catch and precise routes that throw cornerbacks off balance.
“He’s just meticulous,” said new offensive coordinator John DeFilippo. “He takes a lot of pride in it. You see him on tape. When you watch the practice film you see him try to set up defenders with his eyes, with his shoulders, with his lower body. He really understands the art of leverage and the art of route running. When you have a player who is that gifted and that talented that not only understands what to do, but how to do it – that’s why he’s a special player.”
‘Talking trash a little bit’
Thielen’s offseason work has changed a bit over the years. The year before entering the league he was just trying to scrape together enough money to attend the super regional combine and get a 40-yard dash time on record.
Now he’s working out in the summers with a circle of NFL players and getting summoned to Atlanta to hang out with Cousins and build rapport with one of the league’s most handsomely-paid quarterbacks.
While past offseason routines might have had Thielen adding muscle to his slender frame, this summer’s regimen has him working on his athleticism, per the instructions of his trainer.
“You kind of focus that in the weight room, doing those things in the gym, and then you try to use that athleticism on the field,” Thielen told Zone Coverage. “A lot of times the main focus is just becoming the best athlete possible, making sure you’re becoming faster, quicker, stronger, better in and out of breaks.”
Based on Thielen’s production, he is one of the best bargains in football. A year after finishing fifth in receiving yards, he has just the 45th highest average annual salary amongst receivers, according to Spotrac.
Despite the success, complacency doesn’t appear to have set in.
Cousins said he and Thielen had a “pity party” after Thielen’s red-zone drop on Wednesday. Ostensibly the wideout was still frustrated at his locker when practice was done.
On Thursday, they made amends as Thielen sprawled out for a diving catch along the sideline during situational drills.
Thielen is, however, more outspoken now that he’s in his sixth year with the team.
“Just talking trashing a little bit,” said head coach Mike Zimmer. “but that’s fine. I told him I haven’t heard him talk to so much since he’s been here. But he’s a competitive guy and that’s how he likes to be. It’s all good. He works just as hard as he’s always worked. He competes as hard as he’s always competed. He just talks a little more.”
Pushed by Diggs
Though Thielen has led the team in receiving yards for two consecutive years, he and teammate Stefon Diggs are often thought of interchangeably atop the team’s receiving depth chart. Diggs is likely in line for a big payday sometime in the next year, whether it’s an extension with the Vikings or a free-agent contract in March.
The two get together for periodic offseason workouts, and Diggs was also part of the Atlanta summit to generate chemistry with Cousins.
“He definitely makes me better,” Thielen said of Diggs. “He’s a guy that pushes you every day. We don’t really let each other run a bad route. If we do we’ll hear about it, so he’s constantly on me, and that’s what I love. He’s such a great friend of mine, and we definitely hold each other accountable, and that’s what you want.”
Both ranked top 12 in WR Rating (quarterback rating when targeted) last season, according to Pro Football Focus. The only other tandem to accomplish that were Green Bay’s Davante Adams and Randall Cobb.
Combined, the two Vikings receivers have 12 100-yard games in the past two seasons — seven for Thielen, five for Diggs.
They hope to add to that total with Cousins.
“[Adam]’s receptive to listening,” said Cousins. “It’s the same with Stef. That’s where, when I say I’m really excited about the locker room and the players I work with, it’s moments like that where I feel really good about the communication, that they’re hearing you and you’re hearing them.”
There’s one area where Thielen may have difficulty catching Diggs, however.
The latter has developed an affinity for short shorts during practice, often rolling them up so they are nearly covered up by his jersey.
Despite his best efforts, Thielen has been unable to compete with Diggs’ fashion statement … but he’s doing his best.
“Trying to be like him more and more every day,” Thielen said with a smile.
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