Adam Thielen will retire holding all-time NFL receiving record $140m Justin Jefferson never got close to

Adam Thielen has quit the Minnesota Vikings for one last shot at Super Bowl glory.

The veteran wideout was a healthy inactive for the humiliating 26-0 loss to the Seattle Seahawks that saw Justin Jefferson fuming after catching just two targets.

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It proved to be the final straw for Thielen, who requested to be waived by the team he joined as an undrafted free agent in 2013.

“Following discussions through the weekend and out of respect for Adam, we have agreed to give him the opportunity to pursue more playing time elsewhere,” the Vikings said in a statement Monday. “Adam is one of the all-time great Vikings, and we wish him and his family continued success.”

Thielen later confirmed that he would retire at the end of the season and thanked the Vikings for allowing him a shot to join a contender, with some suggesting the Buffalo Bills as a fit.

“Since this past spring, I knew this was going to be my last season playing in the National Football League. Given that, the Vikings allowed me the opportunity to go compete elsewhere for the last few weeks of my career,” wrote the two-time Pro Bowler.

Thielen’s return has seen him fall behind Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor in the race to back up Jefferson.

Earlier in the season, Jefferson put up over 100 yards against the Cleveland Browns in London to surpass Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Calvin Johnson’s totals through six seasons.

Vikings legend Randy Moss tops the all-time ranking with 8,375 — a mark Jefferson (8,231) should beat if he stays healthy.

JJ McCarthy‘s expected return from concussion in Week 14 should resume some form of reliable targets.

Thielen came back to Minnesota via a trade in August after two seasons with the Carolina Panthers.

He has enjoyed a front row seat to Jefferson’s development, and has enjoyed seeing his younger teammate’s growth on and off the field.

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“Justin, obviously we had built such a great relationship, and the friendship was there like it never left when I got back and just the appreciation for each other,” he told talkSPORT ahead of the Week 5 clash in London.

“Not just on the field but off the field as well, so thankful to be around him.

“It’s been really fun to be back and reminisce on the times we were together before and then build on that this year, and he’s matured so much. He’s a father now and there’s so many things that are so cool to see, his growth over the last few years.”

Thielen is very much the vet in the room at 35 and is no slouch himself with over 8,000 yards since he joined the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2013.

Jefferson may be re-writing the record books, but there is one illustrious milestone the 26-year-old hasn’t got close to… yet.

Only two players in NFL history have ever topped 100 receiving yards in eight straight games — Detroit Lions legend Johnson and Thielen.

“I haven’t given you a hard time about that, but when I’m retired, I will make sure to text him every once in a while and give him a hard time that he hasn’t hasn’t tied or broke that record,” joked Thielen.

“Right now, I’m just trying to do my job. But yeah, I think eventually I’ll give him a hard time.”

After failing to hit 100 in Week 13, Jefferson will have to wait until next season at the earliest to match his teammate’s feat.

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T.J. Hockenson: Justin Jefferson plays like he doesn’t have ligaments

Tight end T.J. Hockenson believes a combination of God-given talent and a phenomenal work ethic have formed a formidable combination in his teammate.

“He’s the best receiver I’ve ever been around, hands down. Just him as a person, just knowing him and off the field and everything. He’s a great human being,” he explained.

“On the field, he’s one of the best wide receivers to play the game, you know, and I’ve always said that. We’ll see what history tells us, but I’m sure that his name will go down in the history books as one of the greats. And it doesn’t surprise anybody that’s been around him every single day.

“He’s got the work ethic. He comes to practice every single day. He comes to work every single day, working on his craft. Not only that, but he’s so gifted.

“God gifted him with significant ability and some of the routes that he can run and some of the change of direction that he can do, it’s almost like he doesn’t have ligaments sometimes. He just sticks things out there and gets out of it.

“So it’s truly impressive when you watch him in person and when you watch what he’s able to do on the field.”

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