CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Adam Thielen caught the pass, gained a first down and pointed flamboyantly downfield as he sprinted in front of the Vikings' bench.
That was the one time on Sunday Thielen hinted he might hold a grudge over the Vikings letting him leave to sign with the Carolina Panthers. Before and after the game, Thielen was the host of a reunion, the centerpiece of group conversations that sprawled all over the field.
Thielen bought a coffee for a longtime friend on the Vikings staff. He chatted with his former teammates and coaches. And he performed to his career standards, catching seven of eight passes thrown his way for 76 yards, continuing to be the Panthers' best receiver and rookie quarterback Bryce Young's security blanket.