PHOENIX — One day, perhaps within a decade or so, Adam Thielen and Eric Kendricks could be back at U.S. Bank Stadium, watching their names and numbers unveiled in the Vikings Ring of Honor to the roar of adoring fans.
This coming year, though, the two players will be on the Vikings' schedule as opponents for the first time: Kendricks as a linebacker for the Chargers and Thielen as a receiver for the Panthers. Both had played their entire careers in Minnesota; both had been named to All-Pro teams for the Vikings, and both started every game for a Vikings team that won 13 games on the way to an NFC North title in 2022.