Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen caused a bit of a stir during locker room cleanout last month when he said retirement was an option.
The 34-year-old put that to rest Thursday in New Orleans when he told the team website he was returning for a 12th season.
But Thielen made it clear he seriously contemplated retirement, making sure all of his family was in Atlanta for Carolina's regular-season finale just in case that was his final game.
"Because I kind of told them at that point this could be it,'' Thielen told Panthers.