There have been several rumors about who the Patriots might be willing to move on from this offseason, with a few top names leading the charge going into roster cutdowns. Among those names has consistently been wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, who has been away from the team over the past week due to an injury suffered during training camp.
There hasn't been any word about the seriousness of what he's dealing with, leading many to believe it won't force him to miss time at the start of the regular season. And if that's proven accurate, there's a good chance he is their most desirable player to be traded ahead of Week 1, with one team looking like they might be particularly interested.
The Vikings are dealing with their own receiver drama this offseason, along with some unfavorable injuries to top players like Justin Jefferson. He just returned to practice this week after missing much of training camp, which isn't a great situation to be in just weeks before the regular season begins.
Making matters worse is Jordan Addison's suspension for the first three games of the season, making them a prime candidate to engage in a trade for Bourne, if the Patriots are dangling him on the market.
If the Vikings want a productive receiver, they should look away from Adam Thielen and call the Patriots instead.
Rumors have swirled in recent days about Minnesota's interest in former longtime Vikings pass catcher Adam Thielen. He spent the first nine years of his career with the team, becoming one of their most reliable weapons for any quarterback to work with.
Since being released in 2023, he has spent the last two years with the Panthers amid their dramatic turnover with head coaches and uncertainty at quarterback. Because he's now 35 years old, he might not be the Vikings' best option at receiver, as Bourne could be the right move to make.
Vikings have inquired about trading for Panthers WR Adam Thielen, per league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 22, 2025
With WR Jordan Addison serving a three-game suspension and Jalen Nailor dealing with a hand injury, Thielen could wind up starting opening night for the Vikings if they can complete the trade. pic.twitter.com/ep7lrSbYo2
Given that Thielen is currently under contract with the Panthers for another season, meaning the Vikings would need to convince them they should trade him, it might be wiser to go after a player like Bourne, who has already been the subject of several trade rumors over the last few years.
Although it wouldn't be the most sensible move for the Patriots, given Bourne's success under Josh McDaniels in 2021, his absence from the team and his diminishing role when he was around suggest they don't have long-term plans for him with the team.
They could try to ship him off to Minnesota for some draft capital while focusing on the young group of receivers they currently have on the roster. That seems like a win/win for both parties, and he likely wouldn't be expensive for the Vikings to get a deal done for.
A lot of this will depend on Bourne's availability, however, as he hasn't returned to practice just yet despite traveling with the team for their preseason finale. On top of that, if the Patriots want to move on from him, they'll have to cross their fingers that the Panthers won't budge with Thielen, forcing the Vikings to give them a call instead.