Adam Thielen Finds Life After The Vikings With The Steelers

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by Carl LivelyDecember 19, 2025, 12:25 am >

Last week, news broke that Adam Thielen wants out of Minnesota, leaving the Vikings fanbase in shock and the rest of the NFL wondering where he’ll end up next. The announcement comes after a disappointing 4–8 start for the Vikings. With the issues they’ve faced at quarterback, including injuries to multiple players, the offense has struggled to find any sort of rhythm, and Thielen’s role has diminished as a result.

Thielen is now in his 12th NFL season, and returning to the Vikings to eventually retire in Minnesota was one of his goals this year. But he also had a larger priority: he wanted to compete for something meaningful.

Coming off a 14-win season in which Minnesota nearly won the division, choosing to return seemed like a natural way to close out his career. Unfortunately for both sides, the year simply hasn’t played out that way.

During his time with the Vikings, Thielen became one of the most productive receivers in franchise history. He totaled 6,751 receiving yards on 542 career receptions, along with 55 touchdowns, building a résumé that earned him a significant place in Minnesota sports history. After leaving the Vikings, he spent two years with the Carolina Panthers. He performed well in his first season there, surpassing 1,000 receiving yards, but followed it with a quieter second year as the Panthers struggled offensively.

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His return to Minnesota was supposed to be a homecoming, but he never fully carved out a consistent role in the receiving rotation. It’s an unfortunate ending to what looked like a storybook reunion between a franchise legend and his hometown team.

Now, following his decision to move on, the veteran wide receiver finds himself repping the black and gold in Pittsburgh. The Steelers currently sit atop the AFC North with a 7–6 record, holding a one-game lead over the Ravens. Yet despite that position, Pittsburgh hasn’t looked like a clear AFC contender. With an aging Aaron Rodgers under center and a defense that has been inconsistent, the Steelers need to find their identity quickly if they hope to be taken seriously — and if Thielen wants to make one more meaningful run before his career winds down.