They broadcast their joy to the world. In front of the camera was Adam Thielen, seated with his 4-year-old daughter, Cora. He held her. She jumped up and down, her feet pounding on the floor.

“We’re going home! We’re going home!” Thielen said repeatedly.

Cora eventually joined in on the cheer, and her reaction inspired an even bigger smile.

This wasn’t a given. Thielen wanted to return to the hometown Minnesota Vikings, and the Vikings viewed him as a sensible addition given the circumstances of their receiver room. But Carolina? The Panthers were only going to do this deal on their terms.

That’s why the conversations between the parties spanned multiple days. That’s why it took until Wednesday morning for the family’s jubilation to find its way to the surface.

In the end, the teams a

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