After Adam Thielen requested his release from the Minnesota Vikings so he could play a bigger role in what he says will be his final NFL season, the 35 year old wide receiver has been claimed on waivers by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
What Adam Thielen brings to the Steelers offense
On paper, Adam Thielen is not the Pro Bowl force he once was with the Minnesota Vikings, when he stacked back to back 1,200 yard seasons and became one of the league’s premier route runners.
His 2025 stat line in his return to Minnesota is modest, with just eight receptions for 69 yards in 11 games and only four starts. But Pittsburgh is not signing him to be a track star; they are signing him to be in the right place, run the right route and help stabilize an offense that has leaned heavily on DK Metcalf with very little dependable production behind him.
#Skol https://t.co/PmpGmts9lr pic.twitter.com/AAZl4B0q6j
— Adam Thielen (@athielen19) December 1, 2025
For Aaron Rodgers, who has already voiced frustration with younger receivers missing adjustments, a receiver who sees the field the way a veteran quarterback does has real value even if the box scores stay quiet.
How the Steelers might use Adam Thielen in 2025
The most natural fit for Adam Thielen in Pittsburgh is as a primary slot option and situational chain mover, especially on third down and in the red zone.
He showed with the Carolina Panthers and in flashes back with the Vikings that he can still uncover underneath, find soft spots in zone coverage and win with footwork at the top of routes. In a crowded and unsettled depth chart, he does not need to dominate snaps to matter; 25 to 35 smart, efficient routes per game could be enough to give Rodgers a safety valve and help sharpen the spacing for the rest of the passing game.
With retirement looming at the end of the 2025 season, this Steelers stint sets up as Thielen’s last chance to end his career on a positive note.
Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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