Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen scored his fourth touchdown of the season when he took a crossing route from Case Keenum 52 yards for a fourth-quarter score in Sunday’s 31-24 loss to the Panthers.
That gave Thielen six catches in the game and 80 this season, which triggered an escalator clause in his base salary of $2.85 million for the 2018 season. He'd already put himself in line to earn an extra $500,000 for next season by catching 70 passes, then earned another $250,000 when he hit 80. If Thielen catches another 10 passes in the Vikings' final three games to finish with 90, he'd wind up with a $1 million escalator clause for 2018.
The former undrafted free agent from Detroit Lakes, Minn., and Minnesota State Mankato signed a four-year extension with the team in March.
Ben Goessling is in his sixth year covering the Vikings, having joined the Star Tribune in 2017 after four seasons at ESPN and one at the Pioneer Press. He is an Apple Valley High School and University of Minnesota graduate. Follow him at @GoesslingStrib.
Mark Craig has covered the NFL for 23 years, and the Vikings since 2003 for the Star Tribune. He is one of 48 Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors. Follow him at @markcraignfl.
Andrew Krammer joined the Star Tribune in July 2016 after three years covering the Vikings for 1500 ESPN. He is a 2013 graduate of the University of Minnesota. Follow him at @Andrew_Krammer.
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