Veteran wideout Adam Thielen’s representatives engaged with the Minnesota Vikings regarding the possibility of his release, as the 35-year-old receiver expressed a desire for a more prominent offensive role in what he anticipates will be his final NFL campaign. Following his release on Monday, Thielen will have the opportunity to realize this ambition after being signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday.
The Vikings finalized a trade to acquire Thielen before the season commenced, prompted by a series of injuries within their receiving unit. However, in the 11 games he participated in this year, Thielen managed to secure only eight receptions for a total of 69 yards. He was listed as inactive this past week, during which the Vikings suffered a shutout loss to the Seattle Seahawks, with a final score of 26-0.
Upon joining the Steelers, Thielen will integrate into a receiving group featuring DK Metcalf, who stands out as the sole receiver to surpass 300 receiving yards this season. With the acquisition of Thielen, Aaron Rodgers gains a seasoned offensive player capable of extending drives.
“I was just talking with him, and he told me he’s feeling great physically because he hasn’t been on the field as much in Minnesota,” Rodgers mentioned after Wednesday’s training session. “So, I believe he still has a lot to offer and is eager to showcase his abilities on the field.”
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Thielen demonstrated significant performance for the Carolina Panthers in the preceding two seasons, achieving over 1,000 receiving yards in 2023 and maintaining an average of 61.5 receiving yards per game across 10 appearances in 2024. Thielen, currently in his 12th NFL season, initially joined the Vikings in 2013 as an un-drafted free agent, subsequently spending nine seasons with the team. His tenure places him fourth in team history for receptions (542), fifth in receiving yards (6,751), and third in receiving touchdowns (55).
The Steelers, holding a 6-6 record, are engaged in a competitive battle within the AFC North division. The Baltimore Ravens, also at 6-6, currently hold the tiebreaker advantage, while the Cincinnati Bengals, with a 4-8 record, remain a potential contender with Joe Burrow back in the lineup. According to projections from SportsLine data analyst Stephen Oh, Pittsburgh has a 44.8% probability of winning the division and a 45.1% chance of securing a playoff berth.
