Why Panthers’ brass felt free-agent WR Adam Thielen was ‘what our team needs right now’

The Carolina Panthers needed a wide receiver.

After trading former No. 1 wideout DJ Moore to the Chicago Bears in a package for the first overall pick, Carolina had little in the way of proven pass-catching talent entering the new league year. But when the floodgates opened for free agency, the Panthers took their time to assess the receiver market.

Following a flurry of activity during the NFL’s legal tampering window, the Panthers decided to host a pair of veteran receivers on visits at their facility. Adam Thielen, a former All-Pro receiver, was the first to step on campus for a meeting with Carolina’s brass and coaching staff.

Thielen immediately made an impression on general manager Scott Fitterer with his demeanor.

“He’s such a leader,” Fitterer said Monday. “We had in the building last week — I was really impressed with the guy. He has just so much command and respect — he’s what our team needs right now.”

Panthers head coach Frank Reich knew of Thielen’s exploits from his nine seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. And while the head coach — like Fitterer — was impressed by Thielen’s intangibles, Reich also admired the wide receiver’s playing style and versatility.

Reich, who studied Thielen’s recent film, felt that the 32-year-old playmaker could still be effective as a primary passing game weapon.

“A couple of years ago, we’re talking about this guy as one of the best receivers in the league,” Reich said. “And I’m just super excited to have him. He has position (flexibility). His age, to me, is not a big deal. As I watch him on tape, he still looks to have that burst and speed. He’s so crafty in his route running, he still can run by you. He’s got great balance and body control, great instincts and a feel for leverage versus man coverage and spacing in zone (coverage). You can play him at Z (flanker receiver), you can play him in the slot. We’ll really move him all over the place.”

Shortly after Reich and Fitterer met with the Charlotte media, Thielen spoke with Pat McAfee on his self-titled national podcast show. Thielen explained that prior to visiting with the Panthers’ staff, he didn’t think Carolina would be his landing spot.

“Honestly, wasn’t really planning on going to the Panthers, and went on a visit there just to hear them out, ‘cause I wanted to go somewhere that I felt like I had the opportunity to win a Super Bowl,” Thielen said. “When I went there, I sat down with Coach (Reich), I sat down with the GM, sat down with all the coaching staff, and I felt like Carolina was the place to do that. I feel like there is a real chance to win a Super Bowl, and that gets me so excited.”

Thielen told McAfee that he negotiated with the Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos and “a few other teams” before he agreed to a three-year, $25 million deal with the Panthers.

“The Panthers just felt like the best fit,” Thielen said.

The veteran wideout will immediately become the top receiver on the depth chart when he returns to Bank of America Stadium and signs his contract on Tuesday.

The spot at the top of the totem pole isn’t unusual for Thielen. He collected 534 catches for 6,682 yards and 55 touchdowns and earned two Pro Bowl nods during his time in Minnesota.

Despite being a few years removed from the conversation of the league’s elite, he can still be a go-to weapon for an incoming rookie quarterback.

“When you watch his tape, the type of player he is, he’s so much about technique and separation and route running, that (age) doesn’t bother me as much,” Fitterer said. “If he loses a step, it’s not the biggest factor with his style of play. If he was just a straight-line burner, yeah, 32, that makes a difference. A guy that’s so savvy like that, that knows how to separate, it wasn’t as big of a factor.”

The Panthers are rebuilding their roster in the image of a new regime. With a rookie quarterback heading to town with the first overall pick, Thielen will be counted on as a veteran leader of the offense.

Thielen wants to see this rebuild through to its completion.

“He actually wants to be here (for) three years — that was part of the deal,” Fitterer said. “He wants to be here through this process of building and winning. So, that was important to him.”