INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Xavier Rhodes and Adam Thielen came to training camp together as rookies in 2013, one of them the Vikings’ first-round draft pick from Florida State, the other an undrafted rookie from Minnesota State.
Over the next seven years, the cornerback and the receiver followed similar scripts.
They fought to win roster spots and survived a coaching change. They traded jabs in practice and challenged one another to improve. They graduated from being part-time starters to full-time starters and eventually celebrated Pro Bowl experiences together, too.
Then in March, the Vikings let Rhodes leave in free agency, splitting up the longtime friends.