The Pittsburgh Steelers‘ claim of longtime Minnesota Vikings star Adam Thielen may be fraught.
After requesting his release from the Vikings in search of a larger role in his final season in the NFL, Thielen’s landing in Pittsburgh seemingly fulfills that desire. After D.K. Metcalf, the Steelers’ leaders in catches are a pair of running backs and tight ends before receiver Calvin Austin III, who is sixth with 26 receptions in 10 games this season.
Thielen has a shot at earning a No. 2 wide receiver role in the offense going down the final stretch of the season.
However, Thielen fits the mold of many veterans who are available at this stage of the season and hope to hitch themselves to a playoff contender.
Pittsburgh’s status as such has been called into question.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio appraised Thielen landing with the Steelers by waiver, which prevented the 35-year-old receiver from having his choice in free agency.
“Poor Thielen, like Brandon Cooks was able to get through waivers and sign with any team he wanted,” Florio said Dec. 3, on “Pro Football Talk.” “The belief is he would prefer a Super Bowl contender, and the Steelers clearly are not that, nor is Thielen going to turn them into one. Still, he was claimed on waivers one day after being released by the Vikings.
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“Welcome to Pittsburgh, Adam Thielen. Enjoy the five games with the Steelers. He has said he plans to retire after the season, and while he might get one more game, it’s hard to see him getting more than that once the regular season ends.”
After winning four of its first five games, Pittsburgh (6-6) has dropped five of its past seven games and has a 33% chance of making the postseason, according to ESPN’s Power Index projections.
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Thielen has a personal relationship with Aaron Rodgers that could help him quickly assimilate into the offense.
Or at the very least, provide some good company for what could be the final five games of their careers.
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