Why did Vikings release Adam Thielen? All-Pro WR set to headline 2023 free agent class

The Minnesota Vikings have continued to make business moves this off-season by releasing All-Pro wide receiver Adam Thielen early Friday, on March 10.

The former undrafted free agent spent the last nine seasons in Minnesota and has made two Pro Bowls and once as a second-team All-Pro. He was released due to his big cap hit of $19.97 million and refusing to take a pay cut.

The move will free up $6.4 million in cap space in 2023 as the team takes on $13.55 million in dead cap sapce.

Thielen had a good nine seasons in purple and gold. He started his career off as a special-teamer and even scored his first career touchdown on a blocked punt.

In his third season, he was a full-time wide receiver as he recorded 967 yards and five touchdowns. In 2017 he was a second-team All-Pro as he recorded 91 receptions, 1,276 yards, and four touchdowns.

The next season, in 2018, he recorded a career-high 113 receptions and a career-high 1,373 receiving yards. In 2020, he scored a career-high 14 touchdowns.

Top 5 free agent WRs available after Adam Thielen's release

NFC Wild Card Playoffs - New York Giants v Minnesota Vikings

With Thielen being released, he's one of the best receivers on the open market. Thielen, Jakobi Meyers, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Allen Lazard, and Odell Beckham Jr. highlight the top-five free agent wide receivers in a weak receiver free agent class.

In the last two seasons, Meyers recorded 150 receptions, 1,670 yards, and two touchdowns. Smith-Schuster helped the Chiefs' receiving core this past season on their way to their Super Bowl victory and has recorded 933 yards and three touchdowns in the regular season.

Lazard recorded a career-high 60 receptions and 788 yards in 2022 for Green Bay. OBJ didn't play last season as he was recovering from a torn ACL injury, but is still a productive receiver this late into his career.

Adam Thielen net worth: How much did Vikings WR earn in his final year in Minnesota?

Minnesota Vikings v Detroit Lions

According to spotrac.com, Adam Thielen made $14.3 million in his last season in Minnesota and in his nine-year career, he has earned $65.1 million.

He was set to make $19.1 million this season with the Vikings, but refused to take a pay cut which resulted in his release.

The Vikings will enter 2023 without Thielen, Eric Kendricks, and most likely Za'Darius Smith. Dalvin Cook is rumored to be on the trade block and could also depart from the team.