Does Adam Thielen's departure from Vikings affect his early-season trade from Panthers?

It appears as though the Carolina Panthers have won the Adam Thielen trade.

As announced on Monday afternoon, the Minnesota Vikings will be granting Thielen's request for a release. The Vikings will now waive the 35-year-old wide receiver, whom they acquired from Carolina in a deal in late August, so that he may find a "bigger role" elsewhere.

But what does this mean for the Panthers?

The trade brought a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick to Carolina in exchange for the former two-time Pro Bowler, a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. That conditional 2026 seventh-rounder would've become a sixth-rounder had Thielen been active in fewer than 10 games.

Fortunately for the Panthers, Thielen—a healthy scratch in Sunday's loss to the Seattle Seahawks—had already played in 11 games. So, yes, the 2026 seventh-round pick from Carolina will remain a seventh-round pick.

Thielen, over his 11 games, amassed just eight receptions for 69 yards.

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: What Adam Thielen's departure from Vikings means for the Panthers