The Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver room has drawn quite a bit of attention. Many pundits were worried about this group heading into the season, and those concerns have been well warranted, as the Steelers receivers have not put up big numbers. The Steelers’ offense, led by Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf, hasn’t lived up to the expectations needed to be competitive in 2025, and now the team sits at 6-6. With the season at a critical turning point, the Steelers need all hands on deck.
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Adam Thielen, formerly of the Minnesota Vikings, stands on the field before a matchup against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on Nov. 16, 2025 in Minneapolis.
That’s why they made the move to claim 35-year-old Adam Thielen off waivers. This is likely Thielen’s final season in the NFL, and sources close to him have made it clear he had a strong desire for more playing time. In Pittsburgh, he may finally get that chance to make a meaningful impact down the stretch, especially with the wide receiver room searching for reliability and consistency.
New #Steelers WR Adam Thielen said he’s confident and can run all the routes pic.twitter.com/YOZsFXfm4v
— 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) December 4, 2025
Thielen spoke with members of the Pittsburgh media on Thursday via 93.7 The Fan and expressed confidence in what he believes he can bring to the Steelers’ offense. He emphasized that he still feels capable of contributing at a high level and is eager to help a team that is fighting to stay alive in the playoff race. As the Steelers look for a spark in the final stretch of the season, Thielen’s experience, leadership, and steady hands could prove invaluable.
"I have always had a lot of confidence in what I can do as a football player," Thielen said while speaking to the Pittsburgh media on Thursday. "I still feel that I can run all of the routes. I can be a deep threat, intermediate, and short threat. Sometimes as an older player, you get tagged that you can't really run anymore. I have always felt the need to go prove otherwise. I feel really good and I’m just super excited about being on the field."
At this stage in his decorated career, Thielen is not the 2018 Pro Bowl wide receiver he once was. However, the Steelers seem hopeful he may have a little more left in the tank than initially expected.
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin talks with Aaron Rodgers before a home game against the Cleveland Browns during the 2025 season.
When healthy, Thielen was productive with the Carolina Panthers, and in the 2025 season he returned to the Minnesota Vikings hoping to make an impact. However, with the Vikings in disarray and struggling to find any sort of offensive identity, Thielen began to feel his opportunities slipping away.
He wanted to be somewhere stable, somewhere he could trust the coaching, and somewhere he had a legitimate chance to contribute in meaningful games.
Steelers' Offense Looking For Help From 35 Year Old WR Adam Thielen
The Steelers fit that mold perfectly, and now he’s eager to earn playing time in an offense that needs a lift. Thielen will be catching passes from Rodgers and will have a real opportunity to carve out a role, especially with the wide receiver room lacking consistency.
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Panthers' Adam Thielen looks on during a game.
Pittsburgh has been searching for a reliable veteran presence capable of moving the chains and providing leadership, and Thielen checks every box. If he can rekindle even a fraction of his past production, he could become a valuable piece for the Steelers down the stretch and potentially play a pivotal role in their push to stay alive in the AFC playoff race.
Of course, many Steelers fans aren't optimistic as they seem to have really lost faith in Mike Tomlin's ability to steer the ship correctly.
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