Happy wife, happy life.
Adam Thielen took that into account when the Minnesota Vikings came calling with interest in a potential trade this offseason. The wide receiver was still part of the Carolina Panthers' plans as quarterback Bryce Young's most dependable weapon in the passing game. But the NFC North club holds a special sentiment.
It was the place where Thielen rose from undrafted obscurity to become a Pro Bowl-caliber wideout. He and his family are from the region, and it quickly became evident that his wife was eager for a return home.
Dan Morgan wasn't going to give him away, but a deal was eventually struck. Carolina moved forward with its young receiving core, and Thielen got the chance to end his career on a team that was expected to be in the Super Bowl hunt.
Adam Thielen has become an innocent bystander after Carolina Panthers' departure
That hasn't happened. The Vikings are struggling to meet expectations after their 14-win campaign in 2024. Thielen has been almost an innocent bystander, gaining just five receptions from 12 targets for 47 receiving yards through seven games — four of which he's started.
It's not been the fairytale start to Thielen's second spell. That's of no concern to the Panthers, who are in the midst of a sensational run that sees them at 4-3 heading into a crunch showdown with the Buffalo Bills.
If any were needed, Morgan received further vindication for trading Thielen from ESPN's Bill Barnwell, who claimed that moving on from the Minnesota State product can now be considered an easy win.
"The Panthers chose the right time to move on from [Adam] Thielen, who had been productive in Carolina before being dealt to Minnesota just before the season. He has been lost in the shuffle there. While the Panthers won't see the fourth-round pick that forms the bulk of the return for Thielen until 2027, getting out from what was owed to a player who has 47 receiving yards in Minnesota is an easy victory."Bill Barnwell, ESPN
Thielen might not be having the impact some thought he would, but his family life is probably a lot more settled. The Panthers gave the pass-catcher his wish, enabling them to bring along their fledgling group of receivers and providing them with more experience in the regular-season pressure cooker.
That's a win-win, whichever way one looks at it. And it's also worth remembering that this is likely Thielen's final season before he rides off into the sunset after a fantastic playing career.
And that decision will be a whole lot easier now that his family is firmly rooted in the place they want to be.