The Pittsburgh Steelers have reportedly claimed veteran wideout Adam Thielen off waivers, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, after he agreed to part ways with the Minnesota Vikings on Monday.
Thielen has the chance to immediately slide in as the team’s No. 2 wideout or favored option in the slot, with mediocre options behind DK Metcalf at the position.
Here’s a look at the projected offensive depth chart with the veteran wideout in the fold:
Thielen likely will be signing on a veteran minimum, with limited impact on the $268 million in cap allocations the team already has, per Spotrac.
Whether Thielen has much left in the tank is debatable. He only had eight catches for 69 yards in his return to the Vikings this year and only played 10 games for the Panthers in 2024, though he did have 48 catches for 615 yards and five touchdowns.
But the Steelers are down bad at the position, to the point that Rodgers called out his pass-catchers after Sunday’s 26-7 loss against the Buffalo Bills.
“When there’s film sessions, everybody shows up, and when I check to a route, you do the right route,” he told reporters when asked how he could get on the same page with his wideouts.
Rodgers also specifically noted a play involving tight end Jonnu Smith before taking some personal accountability for a throw he didn’t execute.
“Like Jonnu and I just weren’t on the same page. I checked to his in-breaker, and he ran an out-breaker,” he said. “Jonnu is a true professional. I’m sure he’s sick about that. I threw a ball I thought was going to get hit by the wind, and it was four yards over Roman [Wilson]. So that’s a s–tty throw. I’ve got to make that throw. We have our meetings every week. We have other opportunities outside of the facility. Look forward to seeing all the boys there.”
Thielen is no longer the player who was a two-time Pro Bowler in his prime. But the Steelers are pretty desperate for playmakers out wide at this point, so Thielen is going to get his shot.