The Pittsburgh Steelers are claiming veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen off waivers, one day after the Minnesota Vikings released him. Thielen, in his second stint with the franchise, was waived Monday following the Vikings’ 26–0 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said Thielen’s agent requested his release last week, with the 35-year-old seeking a larger role elsewhere during what is expected to be the final weeks of his final NFL season. Thielen was inactive for Sunday’s shutout loss.

Minnesota reacquired Thielen in August in a trade with the Carolina Panthers, sending a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick in exchange for Thielen, a 2027 fifth-round pick, and a conditional 2026 seventh-rounder. Despite the investment, the veteran receiver never carved out a consistent role in the Viking’s offense. Across 11 games, Thielen played 185 offensive snaps and recorded just 8 receptions for 69 yards—a steep dropoff from his 1,000-yard season with Carolina in 2023, when he tallied 103 catches for 1,014 yards.

Thielen spent nine seasons with the Vikings after joining the team as an undrafted free agent in 2014. He earned two Pro Bowl selections and finished his Minnesota career ranked No. 3 in touchdown catches (55), No. 4 in receptions (542), and No. 5 in receiving yards (6,751).

He now joins a Steelers team desperate for help at wide receiver. Pittsburgh’s offense has struggled throughout the season, ranking 24th in passing at 187.8 yards per game with 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers at quarterback.

DK Metcalf, acquired in a blockbuster trade this spring, leads the team with 605 receiving yards and five touchdowns but is averaging a career-low 50.4 yards per game. Behind him, the depth chart has been thin since the offseason trade that sent George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. Calvin Austin III is the next most productive with 278 yards (27.8 per game), followed by rookie Roman Wilson with 166 yards.

The Steelers had hoped Austin and Wilson would help fill the void left by Pickens, but inconsistency has plagued the receiver group. Outside of Metcalf’s 45 receptions, Austin has just 26 and Wilson 12. Separation has been an ongoing issue, and Rodgers has grown increasingly frustrated with pass-catchers who have struggled to stay on the same page.

Thielen arrives in Pittsburgh with an opportunity to contribute to a receiving group that badly needs veteran steadiness and production.