Vikings Summer Hero Gets Shot at Broncos Roster

A Denver Broncos helmet rested on the sideline during play on Dec 19, 2020, at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver. The orange and navy design, complete with the team’s signature horse logo, was shown in close detail as the Broncos hosted their opponent in an AFC matchup. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports. A few Minnesota Vikings fans and analysts uplifted big plans for wide receiver Thayer Thomas in the summers of 2023, 2024, and 2025. A Vikings summer hero is getting his chance at the Broncos’ roster, turning training camp buzz into another NFL opportunity, this time in DEN. The North Carolina State alumnus somewhat surprisingly did not earn a spot on Minnesota’s 2025 practice squad, shoving him onto the open market last week. But with any luck, Thomas will be a Denver Bronco by the end of the week. He fired up an audition this week. Vikings Summer Standout Thayer Thomas Takes His Shot with the Broncos Thomas, in summer speak, was beloved by a sect of purple fans. Thayer Thomas carried the ball during first-half action on Aug 22, 2025, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. The Minnesota Vikings wide receiver, wearing number 89, advanced the play against the Tennessee Titans in preseason competition as he worked to demonstrate his reliability and push for a roster opportunity. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images. WR Thayer Thomas Tries Out for Denver Most NFL teams get their regular season underway in five days — sans the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys, who are two days away — and are evidently still interested in practice squad maintenance. Proof? The Broncos worked out Thomas and others on Tuesday. KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweeted, “The Broncos worked out Tyrion Davis-Price, Bryson Green, Messiah Swinson, Thayer Thomas, Samori Toure, Cole Turner, Deuce Vaughn.” Denver will host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Angling for a Practice Squad Spot Thomas’ upside in Denver? A practice squad spot, at least to start the 2025 regular season. Denver, like 31 other teams, locked in 53-man rosters one week ago, and most have published depth charts early on Monday or Tuesday. Thomas is in Denver with the six other combatants, hoping to gain a spot on the practice squad —a process he is ultra-familiar with from his time in Minnesota. Thayer Thomas scored a touchdown for North Carolina State during second-half play on Oct 27, 2022, at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh. The Wolfpack receiver, wearing number 5, crossed the goal line against Virginia Tech, helping secure a narrow 22-21 victory in front of the home crowd. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports. Thomas is known for his run-after-catch skill set, has 4.57 speed, and was used for deep-ball efficiency at North Carolina State. Three Summers in Minnesota Thomas lived on 90-man rosters in Minnesota for three straight summers. Pull up any random “sleeper” article from 2023, 2024, 2025, and there’s a decent chance Thomas’ name will show up as an under-the-radar 53-man roster contender. Of course, Thomas never effected the predictions into an active roster spot, and the widespread consensus suggests some always wanted the Vikings to find “another Adam Thielen.” Hence the Thomas hype. Several fans were quite perplexed that Thomas didn’t make this year’s practice squad. It’s been quite the tradition in back-to-back seasons. Sean Payton coached from the sideline in the first quarter on Nov 19, 2023, at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver. The Denver Broncos head coach, in his first season leading the team, directed his players during the matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports. To date since 2023, the 6’0′ 195-pounder has never appeared in a regular season game. Maybe Denver will eventually be different. The Broncos’ Current WRs If Thomas finds quick employment with the Broncos, he’ll join this wide receiving corps: Courtland Sutton Marvin Mims Jr. Troy Franklin Pat Bryant Trent Sherfield A.T. Perry (PS) Michael Bandy (PS) Sherfield, the team’s WR4 or WR5, spent the 2024 season in Minnesota, and the Vikings may get a compensatory draft pick in April due to his free-agent departure in March. From Thomas Last Month Thomas told reporters last month about the summer grind: “I don’t know when I’m gonna be thrown in there with the ones. But I just got to prepare each and every day like I am gonna be thrown in there, so when that time comes, I’m ready. Just know the playbook in and out, be able to play multiple spots on the offense.” He also opined on quarterback J.J. McCarthy: “J.J.’s really talented. The growth I’ve seen in the last year and a half since he’s been here has been great to see. It’s awesome to be able to connect with him. I know he’s got elite receivers everywhere on the field; it’s pretty special. Hopefully, we get to connect a lot more. I sweat a lot.” “Right now, it’s not too bad, but when I grew up in North Carolina, when I went to NC State, going to camp, it was like 95 degrees.” Thayer Thomas turned upfield after a reception in the first half on Nov 12, 2022, at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh. The North Carolina State receiver, wearing number 5, gained yards against the Boston College defense as the Wolfpack continued its offensive push during the Atlantic Coast Conference matchup. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports. Thomas isn’t incredibly young for a second-year wideout; he turned 27 this offseason. Thomas added in August: “So, I would go through probably eight to 10 pairs of gloves a day, just cuz I was sweating so much. So, if we’re not in the live period, if we’re just doing routes, just indi and stuff, I won’t wear gloves. But as we get into the practice, I’ll put gloves on. I have like 10 pairs of gloves that I bring out to practice every day.” Here’s to hoping for Thomas’ sake that the audition turns into a practice squad gig out in Denver.