Pittsburgh Steelers have clear wide receiver upgrade to target amid offensive woes originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
We knew the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't have enough juice at the wide receiver position going into the season, and that unfortunate fact remains abundantly clear as we enter Week 14 of the 2025 NFL season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDK Metcalf is the team's leading receiver with just 605 yards, and the only other wide receivers on the roster with over 100 yards are Calvin Austin (278) and Roman Wilson (166). Safe to say, Austin and Wilson haven't stepped up the way Pittsburgh hoped.
Making Pittsburgh's receivers look even worse, George Pickens, who the Steelers traded away to the Dallas Cowboys, has more receiving yards (1,142) than all of Pittsburgh's wideouts combined (1,114).
After striking out at the trade deadline, and after failing to sign veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks in free agency (he landed with the Buffalo Bills), the Steelers have a new wide receiver to target: Adam Thielen.
Why Vikings waived Adam Thielen
Minnesota announced on Monday that it is waiving Thielen after the team acquired him in an August trade with the Carolina Panthers that looks terrible now.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Vikings revealed that Thielen approached them about getting cut so he could join a team that can offer him a bigger role.
"Last week, Adam's representation approached the team and asked if we would be willing to release Adam, expressing his desire to play a bigger role in the remaining weeks of what he has indicated will be his final NFL season. Following discussions through the weekend and out of respect for Adam, we have agreed to give him the opportunity to pursue more playing time elsewhere. Adam is one of the all-time great Vikings, and we wish him and his family continued success," Minnesota said.
Thielen had a minimal role in Minnesota's offense behind starters Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, so it's easy to see why he was disgruntled. The veteran only played 29% of snaps and caught eight passes for 69 yards in 11 games.
Why Steelers should target Adam Thielen
Every player who is cut this time of year is subject to waivers. Just in case Thielen doesn't clear waivers, the Steelers will have to put in a claim.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOn the surface, it looks like Thielen is cooked. After all, he is 35 years old and has posted awful production this season.
But he has also been playing behind Jefferson, Addison and Jalen Nailor, and the Vikings have experienced some of the worst quarterback play in the NFL with J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer all throwing passes for Minnesota.
It's also worth pointing out that Thielen posted 615 receiving yards in just 10 games last year when he had a significant role with the Panthers, so it's not like it has been years since his last impressive season.
Thielen also offers some versatility with his experience playing both in the slot and out wide.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWith the downward spiral the Steelers are in, they absolutely should make one last effort to improve their wide receivers room for the stretch run of the season.
If it works out, great. If not, Thielen will be gone in 2026.
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