EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Adam Thielen naturally kept Minnesota as his family’s offseason home after he joined the Carolina Panthers, surrounded by relatives and friends and the familiarity of his native state.

Earlier this summer, just like during the last one, Thielen was invited to join some throwing sessions in the Twin Cities area that included a new Vikings quarterback.

How convenient. Those workouts wound up giving Thielen a jump start in his chemistry with J.J. McCarthy, seemingly foreshadowing a return for the 35-year-old wide receiver to his original team and beloved home.

What stood out to Thielen immediately was McCarthy’s work ethic, mindset and communications skill, even in an informal session involving players on different teams.

“When we were working out together, there was n

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