Panthers come to a decision with a veteran wide receiver while the Adam Thielen situation continues to loom over initial 53-man roster
The Carolina Panthers have trimmed the roster down and the initial 53-man roster is set for head coach Dave Canales going into the 2025 regular season following a competitive training camp.
But, let's stress the importance of the word initial in initial 53-man roster. While the final roster cuts have been made, this might not be the final roster that takes the field in Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Changes can still be made between now and then to this group and one potential decision in particular continues to loom over the roster.
When making the final roster cuts, the Panthers opted to part ways with veteran wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, who seemingly impressed after taking a year off from the NFL.
Instead, Carolina kept the following WRs on the initial roster: Adam Thielen, Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker, Brycen Tremayne, David Moore, and Jimmy Horn Jr.
On-going Adam Thielen drama could impact future roster decisions for Carolina
Over the weekend, word got out that the Minnesota Vikings were in contact with the Panthers to try and reunite with Adam Thielen, but the Panthers are not planning to let him go for free.
As it stands Thielen is still on this roster heading into the regular season, barring any last-minute trade between the two sides, and the Panthers have no reason to move on from Thielen.
"Carolina is not willing to give Adam Thielen away," Adam Schefter said on Tuesday while on the Pat McAfee Show. "And so, right now, subject to this changing, it looks like it won't happen. But, you never know if there's going to be a last minute push here, today or tomorrow, to get a deal done."
"The Vikings have tried to trade for Adam Thielen but up until now it just doesn't look like it's gonna happen..
They would love to have Adam Thielen but maybe they pivot to signing KJ Osborn" ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/tXgOwvVjAm— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 26, 2025
Let's say the Vikings are able to pony-up with an attractive offer and pry Thielen out of Carolina, then that opens the door for Renfrow to make his way onto the Panthers' 53-man roster.
Canales noted a few days back that Thielen and Renfrow bring a similar style skillset to the offense as savvy route runners who excel in the slot. Naturally, it was hard to find a spot for both players on the initial roster, which is why Renfrow was ultimately released.
Short-term, the Panthers will likely attempt to add Renfrow back on the practice squad, regardless of what happens between Thielen and the Vikings. If a deal is reached, the Panthers can simply sign Renfrow to the active roster and go forward with him in the slot.
As for the rest of the WR position, Coker, Tremayne, and Horn rightfully earned a spot on the initial roster and it's clear this staff values the youth movement at the position.
