Who Should I Start? Adam Thielen or Tank Bigsby

Monday, January 6, 3:37 PM

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen said that he will go through his normal process and evaluate whether he wants to continue his playing career this offseason. Thielen said he's leaning in a certain direction, "but I'm not going to tell you what that is." If the Panthers choose to do so, they can cut the 34-year-old with only a $5 million dead salary cap hit to get out of the final year of his deal. He missed time in 2024 due to a hamstring injury that landed him on Injured Reserve, but Thielen was productive when healthy as quarterback Bryce Young's favorite target, catching 48 passes on 62 targets for 615 yards and five touchdowns in 10 starts. Staying in Carolina is the likely outcome if Thielen chooses to play another season. His chemistry with Young would give him a solid fantasy floor as a flex, depending on what the rest of the WR room looks like in 2025.

Monday, January 6, 11:39 AM

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby struggled with efficiency, but did find the end zone in a 26-23 overtime loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Bigsby finished with 14 carries for 39 yards and a one yard touchdown. He also caught a pass for three yards. Bigsby had similar production to what he has had many times this season. In an overall lackluster offense, he struggled for yardage and wasn't involved in the passing game but found the end zone, all while splitting touches with Travis Etienne Jr. The young back had a much improved second season, but still is fighting an uphill battle to become a full-time starter. He's been better than Etienne Jr. this season, but this week and in the past few weeks, has struggled to separate himself. Bigsby will look to seize a more consistent starting role and earn more volume in the 2025 NFL season.