The Minnesota Vikings face the Detroit Lions this weekend, with the Lions' quarterback Matthew Stafford a question amid a possible coronavirus exposure and a tricky New England-style play calling, but Adam Thielen said he's ready. He's feeling good and healthy and ready to play.
"It's good to feel young again, so I'm going to take advantage of that," the 30-year-old told WCCO Friday morning.
He added the Lions secondary is talented and "they're always switching things up, trying to make it tough on you ... We have our work cut out for us, but we're going to have to do what we did last week and say 'screw it,' and just come out and play."
Last week, Thielen said they were able to beat Green Bay by controlling the line of scrimmage, even though it was "pretty crazy and windy and the passing game was pretty tough." "I wouldn't have wanted to be playing golf that day, that's for sure," Thielen said, laughing.
He added that continuing to play without fans makes it a weird year. "It feels almost like a scrimmage," he said, "But you've got to find a way to bring your own energy and get yourself going."
Speaking of energy, eyebrows were raised when the cameras caught Thielen last week deep in conversation with Aaron Rodgers. So, what were they talking about? Thielen spilled, saying, "He was really just asking about my family and what the boys were doing for Halloween and all of that. We have a really good relationship."
Back on the field, the team has started the season 2-5, and there's been talk that the Cleveland Browns could be interested in a trade for Thielen, or the Arizona Cardinals. But the Vikings held onto the hometown hero.
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Profootballrumors.com says to look for the team, with Thielen, to rebound next year.
"While Minnesota looks dead in the water this year, there is still enough talent on the roster — including Thielen — to suggest that a rebound in 2021 could be in the cards," they wrote. "If the club plans to retool rather than rebuild, having Thielen in the fold would go a long way towards a return to contention next year."