Adam Thielen is staying in Minnesota.
The veteran receiver has agreed to restructure his contract in order to help the Vikings clear salary cap space. The restructured deal includes $18 million in guaranteed money, a raise to $14.4 million in 2022 and a void year tacked onto the end of the contract, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Friday.
Thielen currently is under contract through 2024.
The 31-year-old Thielen has spent his entire career in Minnesota since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2013, but salary concerns and the arrival of a new regime made his future uncertain. He's largely remained the same receiver he's been for most of his career, although he did record the lowest yards-per-catch average of his career in 2021.
Still, a receiving duo of Justin Jefferson and Thielen is difficult to break up, even for a new leadership team with its own ideas for the future of the franchise. Thielen appears set to spend the next few years in the only place he's ever known in the NFL.
Roster moves
- The Arizona Cardinals are re-signing linebacker Ezekiel Turner to a one-year deal.
- The Atlanta Falcons are re-signing cornerback Isaiah Oliver to a one-year deal, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported, per sources.
- The Buffalo Bills released veteran defensive tackle Star Lotulelei and signed linebacker Marquel Lee to a one-year deal.
- The Carolina Panthers agreed to a one-year contract with defensive lineman Matthew Ioannidis, Rapoport reported. Ioannidis was released by the Washington Commanders earlier this week. The Panthers also announced Friday they have restructured wide receiver Robby Anderson's contract in a move to add salary-cap flexibility. Carolina is also extending receiver D.J. Moore through the 2025 season. Carolina announced it has agreed to terms with former Rams punter Johnny Hekker to a three-year deal. Hekker, who was released by L.A., is a former four-time first-team All-Pro. The Panthers are signing former Ravens center Bradley Bozeman to a one-year deal, the team announced.
- The Chicago Bears are not signing defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi due to a failed physical, the team announced. The Bears and Ogunjobi agreed to a three-year, $40.5 million contract earlier this week, but the former Bengals defender is coming off foot surgery, which impacted his medical review. "As I said before, Larry Ogunjobi embodies everything we are looking for in a Bear," Chicago general manager Ryan Poles said in a statement Friday. "He is a special person and player. During the league's negotiating window earlier this week, we agreed to terms with him, subject to him passing a physical here. After a standard and thorough physical and medical review with Larry yesterday afternoon, our medical team deemed him to have failed his physical and therefore, unfortunately, we are not signing him today. This is difficult and it is emotional for everyone involved, but ultimately is what is in the best interest of protecting the Chicago Bears." Following the news of Ogunobi's failed physical, the Bears reached a two-year, $12 million deal with defensive tackle Justin Jones, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Chicago also announced it signed receiver Equanimeous St. Brown to a one-year deal.
- The Cincinnati Bengals are releasing starting center Trey Hopkins, coach Zac Taylor told reporters.
- The Dallas Cowboys agreed to terms with linebacker Leighton Vander Esch on a one-year contract. The team announced it has signed linebacker Luke Gifford to a one-year contract. Dallas signed former Steelers wide receiver James Washington to a one-year deal and, per Rapoport, agreed to terms with former Falcons pass rusher Dante Fowler.
- The Denver Broncos signed defensive lineman DeShawn Williams to a one-year deal. Denver is also signing much-traveled quarterback Josh Johnson, Pelissero reported. Johnson is signing with his 14th NFL franchise. He played with the Ravens and Jets last season. Denver is also signing former Eagles linebacker Alex Singleton to a one-year deal with $1.1 million guaranteed and another $750,000 in playing time incentives, NFL Network's James Palmer and Garafolo reported.
- The Detroit Lions announced the re-signings of receiver Kalif Raymond and pass rusher Charles Harris to two-year deals.
- The Houston Texans announced they re-signed defensive tackle Maliek Collins, backup quarterback Jeff Driskel and linebacker Christian Kirksey and signed offensive lineman Cedric Ogbuehi.
- The Kansas City Chiefs are signing wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster to a one-year deal worth $10.75 million, per Rapoport.
- The Las Vegas Raiders signed running back Ameer Abdullah.
- The New England Patriots are re-signing linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley to a two-year contract worth a maximum of $9 million, per Rapoport.
- The Philadelphia Eagles are re-signing safety Anthony Harris to a one-year, $2.5 million contract, per Pelissero. The team is also re-signing running back Boston Scott to a one-year, $1.75 million deal worth up to $2.25 million in incentives, per Pelissero.
- The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing former Patriots receiver/returner Gunner Olszewski to a two-year, $4.2 million deal, per Rapoport.
- The San Francisco 49ers agreed to a three-year, $10.95 million contract with former Colts safety George Odum, Rapoport reported.
- The Seattle Seahawks are signing defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson, per Rapoport. Seattle announced it has released defensive linemen Carlos Dunlap and Kerry Hyder. Seattle also announced it has re-signed interior offensive lineman Kyle Fuller.
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers agreed to terms with former Giants defensive back Logan Ryan, Rapoport reported Friday. Ryan spent the last two seasons in New York before being cut Thursday.
- The Tennessee Titans are signing former Browns and Falcons tight end Austin Hooper to a one-year, $6 million deal, per Pelissero. The team has also agreed to terms with cornerback Buster Skrine and running back Jordan Wilkins.
Trades
- The Cleveland Browns have agreed to trade for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, Rapoport and Pelissero reported.
- The Green Bay Packers and Las Vegas Raiders officially announced the Packers are trading wide receiver Davante Adams to the Raiders in exchange for 2022 first- and second-round picks.
