Vikings Trade Rumors: Harrison Phillips Trade Opens Door for Adam Thielen’s Return
Adam Thielen never wanted to leave the Minnesota Vikings. Now, an avenue has opened for him to return to his former home.
On Wednesday evening, the Vikings made a quietly impactful move to send veteran defensive tackle Harrison Phillips to the New York Jets. Phillips was shipped out along with a 2027 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick from the Jets. The move was a sudden shock to many Vikings fans, who had grown to love “Horrible Harry” over his 3 seasons with the team. But based on the current state of the roster, it’s an understandable maneuver from general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
Phillips’ production wasn’t the issue. He never missed a game for the Vikings and last season had 29 solo tackles, along with 25 assists, four batted passes, 15 QB pressures, two sacks, and one forced fumble. The move was clearly made with something else in mind. What’s that thing, you might ask?
Adam Thielen’s Return to Purple
That thing, or rather player, is likely wide receiver Adam Thielen. Even without Harrison Phillips, the Vikings are set at defensive tackle after signing Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in the offseason. Where the Vikings aren’t set, however, is at wide receiver.
What once promised to be a compelling wide receiver room has been ravaged in the preseason. The downfall began when surefire starter Jordan Addison received a 3-game suspension from the NFL. Then, offseason signing Rondale Moore ended his season with a left knee injury in the first preseason game. After that, WR3 Jalen Nailor was expected to step into a more productive role. He too suffered an injury, injuring his left hand during a joint practice with the Patriots before Saturday’s preseason matchup. He now carries a “week-to-week” injury status, making his availability unclear.
That would leave third-round rookie Tai Felton to step into an intimidating role. Except he just had an injury scare of his own in practice on Wednesday, though he is reportedly “fine.”
Still, such a depleted group will need a veteran boost to give quarterback J.J. McCarthy a trustworthy target. That’s where the former Vikings and current Carolina Panthers Adam Thielen comes into play. Thielen has chemistry with McCarthy already, as he’s trained with him the past two summers. Trading Phillips opened up $7.4 million in cap space for the Vikings in 2025. That gives the Vikings room to bring in someone like Thielen, who is still under contract with the Panthers but is battling with three other high-profile receivers for playing time. Should the Panthers want to give their younger receivers the reps, Thielen, 34, could get stuck in a limited role. Now would be the perfect time to bring him into a Vikings offense with a lot of questions.
It seems like the Vikings are thinking the same thing, they just aren’t saying it out loud. When reporter Kay Adams dropped hints to Head Coach Kevin O’Connell yesterday about the possibility of an Adam Thielen return, he just smiled and played it off. That got many wondering if the trade was imminent.
So, Vikings fans, I’ll say what everyone wants to hear: I think a trade for Adam Thielen is all but official. While there is stress and speculation over the current WR room, expect those to be put to bed before the regular season. Skol Nation’s golden child could be coming home soon.