Who Should I Start? Adam Thielen or Kyle Philips

Tuesday, February 18, 1:57 PM

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen has led the team in receiving yards in each of the last two seasons, yet his $8.3 million annual average salary ranks 37th among all wideouts. The 34-year-old posted a 1,000-yard campaign in 2023 before a 615-yard season in just 10 games in 2024. The veteran is reportedly wanting a new deal, but the organization is unlikely to extend him long-term due to his age. However, Joseph Person of The Athletic said the team could offer him a pay bump in the form of converting his per-game bonuses into more guaranteed money. While Thielen is past his prime, he's been a valuable weapon for young quarterback Bryce Young on a team that is lacking high-end pass catchers.

Tuesday, February 18, 8:54 PM

The Las Vegas Raiders signed free-agent wide receiver Kyle Philips to an undisclosed deal on Tuesday. Philips, a former fifth-round selection by the Tennessee Titans in 2022 out of UCLA will head to the AFC West after spending all of the 2024 campaign on the practice squad of the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2022 and 2023, he caught only 23 of 35 targets for 259 yards and no touchdowns in 13 games played (no starts). The 25-year-old pass-catcher also saw time on special teams as a kickoff and punt returner, which will probably be his best path to a roster spot with the Raiders. Philips will be reuniting with his old head coach at UCLA in Chip Kelly, who is now the Raiders' offensive coordinator under new head coach Pete Carroll. Philips's familiarity with Kelly won't guarantee him a roster spot out of training camp, though.