The Facts: The Vikings placed the second-round tender on restricted free agent Thielen on Wednesday, according to a league source.
Diehards Line:
The move should keep the Vikings’ leading receiver from last season on the roster in 2017 as the two sides continue to negotiate a long-term extension, the source told Star-Tribune staffer Andrew Krammer. Thielen’s one-year tender is worth nearly $2.8 million and does not preclude Minnesota from re-signing him to a bigger deal this offseason. Thielen, 26, could still draw interest from other teams after he enjoyed a breakout season last year with 69 catches for 967 yards. The Vikings’ decision to use the second-round tender means if Minnesota chooses not to match another team’s offer sheet for Thielen in free agency, they’ll receive a second-round pick as compensation for losing him. The Vikings have until 3 p.m. on Thursday, the official start of free agency, to tender the team’s last restricted free agent in receiver Charles Johnson.