If that had been it, it would have been a remarkable career.
The former undrafted rookie from Minnesota State has caught 685 passes for 8,311 yards and 64 touchdowns, fifth among all undrafted players in league history in catches and yards and fourth in touchdowns.
But this year also came with a seven-week break because of a serious hamstring injury suffered while hauling in a touchdown against the Raiders in Week 3.
And those long hours of rehabilitation were on his mind as the season wore on, because the game’s only fun when you get to play it, and his days were grueling without the payoff that comes on Sundays.
“Definitely, I think that’s part of what led to the exhaustion,” Thielen said of his nearly two-month stint on injured reserve, which didn’t end until after the trip to Germany and the bye week. “Because what people don’t understand is when you’re hurt, and you’re rehabbing, your time on the job doubles.
“You have to do your normal responsibilities, and then you have about two hours before and two hours after of doing extra stuff trying to get back, and especially if you want to do it right, to try to get back as quickly as possible.”
But now, he can say those things with an easy smile, because now he has committed to being back. Thielen was in a good mood Thursday, bouncing around in a pair of shorts and a hoodie and a backward hat like always, enjoying the fellowship that comes with being on a stage like this.