Panthers WR Adam Thielen says he wanted to sign with Chiefs

The Carolina Panthers didn’t seem to be Adam Thielen’s first choice in free agency last offseason.

While hitting the links at Edgewood Tahoe Resort for this weekend’s American Century Championship, the 11th-year veteran chatted it up a bit with Kansas City’s Starcade Media. He was asked about the Panthers’ upcoming 2024 matchup against the Chiefs, a team Thielen apparently had his eyes on in 2023 . . .

Thielen, of course, ended up in Carolina. After spending his first nine NFL campaigns with his hometown Minnesota Vikings, the former Pro Bowler inked a three-year, $25 million deal to move down south.

The 33-year-old earned his keep on that first year of that pact. Thielen led the Panthers in targets (137), receptions (103) and receiving yards (1,014) while finishing second in touchdown grabs (four).

Oh, and things also panned out kinda well for the Chiefs—who captured their second consecutive Lombardi Trophy and their third over the past five seasons.

Thielen and the Panthers are set to welcome the champs into Bank of America Stadium for a Week 12 clash on Nov. 24.