MANKATO, Minn. (AP) — Over their 52 summers holding training camp at Minnesota State University in Mankato, there’s hardly a player in Vikings history more synonymous with this hilltop campus than Adam Thielen.
Four years ago, Thielen was the NFL long shot who kept making diving catches during practice and drawing praise for his instinct and precision, doing exactly what an undrafted NCAA Division II product needed to do to make the roster.
Now he’s an integral part of Minnesota’s offense, with a big contract coming off a breakout season. After accumulating in 2016 a team-leading 967 yards receiving and 69 catches, including five touchdowns, Thielen signed through 2020 for nearly $10 million guaranteed.