Panthers star Adam Thielen makes bold statement about his future in the NFL

Adam Thielen will once again be one of the offensive weapons for Bryce Young in the upcoming NFL season, although the image of the QB throwing passes to the veteran wide receiver may no longer be seen starting in the near future. The former Vikings player made an important revelation regarding his career with the Carolina Panthers.

While Thielen had hinted at the possibility of retiring at the end of last season, the seasoned wideout will play his 12th season in the NFL. However, he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of retirement when this season concludes.

“It could be, yeah,” the WR said Friday from a Panthers community event, via The Athletic’s Joe Person. “I told you guys at the end of the season, like every year, you look back and you say, ‘Hey, what left do I have to give to this game?’ I talked to my family, and they wanted me to keep playing. So it’ll be the same process.”

Despite this, and as he begins his final year of contract with the Panthers, one of the most experienced receivers in the league made it clear that he will focus solely on preparing for the upcoming season, and not on other discussions.

“Not gonna think about that right now. I’m gonna focus on being the best football player I can possibly be, and you have to have that mindset in this league,” Thielen said. “And then once the season’s over — evaluate, see where we’re at, see where the team’s at, see where I’m at individually and as a family and figure it out. But definitely, definitely winding down my career. But excited about this year and what could happen.”

Could this be Bryce Young’s year?

Many hopes were placed on the talented QB Bryce Young since his arrival in the NFL, but unfortunately for him and his team, all those dreams faded as the weeks went by.

Panthers HC Dave Canales often chose to rely on the experience of Andy Dalton to lead the first team, although all signs point to the former Heisman Trophy winner in 2021 returning as the starter next season.

The selection of talented wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan in the latest Draft adds a new weapon to Young’s offense, which could help unlock the full potential of the young quarterback and prove that he came to the league to achieve great things.