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Mike Vrabel is in his first season as head coach of the Patriots
The New England Patriots continue to improve week by week and have retained possession of the number one seed in the AFC after beating the New York Giants in the Week 13, 33-15.
Drake Maye is has taken a massive leap from his rookie season and has started to include his name in the MVP conversation. Many wondered about his weapons entering his second season in the league as the full time starter. The team signed wide receiver Stefon Diggs to head the Patriots receiving core, but has been a bit lackluster this season despite having the most receiving yards on the team.
While Maye is doing well with what he has, the Pats could get one more receiver who can bolster the teams receiving options on game day, forcing other teams defensive playcaller and coordinators to game plan differently.
Patriots Named Landing Spot For Wide Receiver
GettyFormer Minnesota Vikings Wide Receiver Adam Thielen
After spending two seasons with the Carolina Panthers, wide receiver Adam Thielen returned to where it all started for him, signing a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings in the offseason.
The hopes were high for the Vikings entering the 2025 season after having a 14-3 record in the previous season. But the major difference was Minnesota was going to have JJ McCarthy in at quarterback instead of Sam Darnold who led the Vikings to their impressive record last season.
McCarthy suffered a torn meniscus in his first preseason game, forcing him to miss his rookie season. Things were looking good in the 2025 training camp for JJ, but results have yet to be produced this season, part of which is the injuries he has suffered.
The season has been lopsided for the Vikings as the team currently has a 4-8 record. With the concerns at QB, it has affected the play of all receiving threats, such as Thielen and Justin Jefferson.
The former asked to be released from Minnesota, in hopes of signing with a contender for the remainder of the season to hopefully win a Super Bowl, which was granted by the organization.
The Sporting News’ Jarrett Bailey listed the New England Patriots has an “obvious” landing spot for Thielen, with the amount of chemistry he has with some of the people in the organization.
“Bringing him in is a no-brainer for the Patriots, but could also be the move that makes the most sense for Thielen,” Bailey wrote. “The Pro Bowl wideout made it clear that he wants to compete for a championship in his final NFL season. The Patriots are [11-2] and marching towards potentially being the No. 1 seed in the AFC.”
“On top of that, Patriots receivers coach Todd Downing spent time with Thielen in Minnesota in 2018… Considering what Thielen wants, along with the familiarity with Downing and Diggs, the Patriots make too much sense for this signing to not happen.”
Thielen and Diggs were teammates with the Vikings and were a formidable wide receiver duo in the league. Downings and Thielen on the other hand, have some knoweldge of each other, as Downings was the tight end coach back in Minny.
Adam Thielen Playing With Maye
GettyDrake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots.
One of the biggest benefits of playing in Foxborough for Adam Thielen is playing with Drake Maye and in reverse.
Thielen gets a franchise QB as his quarterback for the remainder of his career and Maye gets a wide receiver who recorded 5 900-plus yard seasons in his weapons arsenal.
The WR would be one of a few players on the Patriots who has experience in the playoffs, which would help boost the confidence of the other players on the roster.
The former Viking only has 8 catches for 69 yards on the season, but could increase if he were to make his way to the Patriots.
Jason Garcia Jason Garcia is a sports contributor for Heavy Sports who joined the team in 2025, covering the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. More about Jason Garcia
