The Pittsburgh Steelers could desperately use more wide receiver help. The Steelers are hoping to get that from former second-team All-Pro receiver Adam Thielen.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday the Steelers claimed Thielen off waivers. ESPN’s Adam Schefter and The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac also each reported Pittsburgh’s move with Thielen.
“Two-time Pro Bowl WR Adam Thielen was claimed off waivers by the Steelers, per source,” wrote Pelissero on X.
“Thielen, 35, wanted one more shot at a Super Bowl in his final season and now lands with longtime NFC North rival Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh.”
Schefter called Thielen a birthday present for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who turned 42 on Tuesday.
The Minnesota Vikings waived Thielen on Monday. In 11 games with the Vikings this season, Thielen posted eight catches for 69 yards.
In 2017 and 2018, the veteran wideout made back-to-back Pro Bowls for Minnesota. With 113 catches and 1,373 receiving yards, the 2018 campaign is the best statistical season of his career.
But in 2017, Thielen made second-team All-Pro with 91 receptions, 1,276 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Thielen then tallied a career-best 14 touchdowns in 2020.
Over 173 career NFL games, the 35-year-old wideout has 693 catches, 8,380 receiving yards and 64 scores.
Steelers Claim WR Adam Thielen on Waivers: Report
The Steelers were very busy Tuesday. While adding Thielen, the team parted ways with receiver Cornell Powell in a practice squad move.
Mike Tomlin’s club also released cornerback Darius Slay and added Asante Samuel Jr. to the active roster.
Signing Thielen, though, might be the biggest move of them all.
The Steelers lack offensive playmakers, especially on the outside. Tight end Pat Freiermuth is second on the team with only 298 receiving yards in 12 games. Tight end Jonnu Smith is second on the team with 30 receptions.
That’s led opposing defenses double covering top wideout DK Metcalf on a high percentage of Pittsburgh’s offensive plays. Metcalf leads the Steelers with 45 receptions, 605 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
Thielen is added competition for Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson, who are second and third among Pittsburgh’s receivers in yards.
Will Thielen Make a Difference for Steelers?
Thielen was a great complimentary weapon for the Vikings when their offense also featured Stefon Diggs. With Metcalf making plays down field, in a perfect world, Thielen could provide Rodgers another option for shorter routes to move the chains.
But the issue with that hope is Thielen is well past his prime.
In two of the past three seasons, Thielen averaged under 10 yards per reception. Since the start of 2024, he’s averaged 32.6 receiving yards per game.
While that’s greater than what Austin and Wilson have produced, it’s not much more. Austin is averaging 27.8 receiving yards per contest in 2025.
In six of his 11 games with the Vikings this season, Thielen didn’t have a catch. He never had more than 26 receiving yards in a game either.
It’s never a bad idea for NFL teams to add veteran experience for the stretch run. But it’s wishful thinking to believe Thielen could help solve Pittsburgh’s struggling offense.
“Hard to count on a 35-year-old Adam Thielen helping the Steelers passing game to any meaningful degree, especially with how the offense is constructed,” wrote Steelers DEpot’s Alex Kozora.
“But a vet who can still run routes underneath and brings a little savvy — I guess I get the idea.”
The Steelers elected to add Thielen to the active roster over Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who has been on the Pittsburgh practice squad for weeks.
But if the Steelers wanted to, they could elevate Valdes-Scantling for Week 14 to have both him and Thielen available against the Baltimore Ravens.
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