Overview

• ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Minnesota and Carolina have discussed a Thielen trade but remain apart on compensation.
• Thielen is interested in a return, yet his $6.25 million base salary and a Week 1 guarantee provision complicate the math.
• Washington’s release of former Viking K.J. Osborn offers a plug‑and‑play, lower‑cost fallback, according to Schefter and Ben Goessling.
• The Athletic’s Joe Person reports Carolina plans to release Hunter Renfrow, a move that could signal the Panthers keeping Thielen unless Minnesota sweetens its offer.
• Minnesota’s urgency traces to Jordan Addison’s three‑game suspension and other receiver injuries, with analysts outlining salary‑sharing scenarios that would require concessions from all parties.