It took just one week for former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen to revel in finding greener pastures in his final season in the NFL.
The Vikings waived Thielen last week after the veteran wide receiver requested his release to play a larger role elsewhere for the remainder of the 2025 season. Thielen, acquired by trade from the Carolina Panthers in August, replaced Jordan Addison, serving a three-game suspension to start the season, but saw his role diminished afterward.
Thielen was unhappy with his role, leading to him being a healthy scratch before he was waived. The Steelers claimed Thielen on December 2, and despite catching just one pass for four yards in a debut win over the Baltimore Ravens, Thielen appears happy with the move.
“It was crazy. It’s been a wild week. I found my love for the game back, just being out there playing the game,” Thielen said after the game. “Just thankful to be out there and thrown into a huge game and rivalry.”
“It was crazy. It’s been a wild week. I found my love for the game back, just being out there playing the game I love….just thankful to be out there and thrown into a huge game and rivalry.”
Vikings Fans React to Adam Thielen’s Steelers Debut
GettyAdam Thielen caught one pass for four yards in his Steelers debut.
Thielen’s postgame statement drew scrutiny from Vikings fans on social media after the Minnesota native’s discontent with his situation became apparent.
“It’s not even about wins or losses, it’s about Adam wanting to compete, wanting to play,” Thielen’s wife, Caitlin, said on an Instagram video last week. “This is his last season… I know him as a competitor, he wants to compete, wants to play, wants to prove, he’s always been about proving people, proving to himself.”
“So one catch for 4 yards got his ‘love for the game’ back,” one fan wrote on X in response to Thielen’s postgame message. “Lost alot of respect for Thielen over the past few weeks.”
In Thielen’s defense, he played 25 snaps with less than a week in Pittsburgh’s offensive system. In the past five weeks, Thielen played 24 snaps for the Vikings.
Many fans met the comment with frustration, but other fans didn’t take his comment to heart.
“All that in a week’s time, cmon now, just saying what he is supposed to,” a second fan replied.
Vikings, Adam Thielen Departure Best for Both Sides
The Vikings and Thielen proved that the decision to part ways with him was best for both sides.
Thielen had his qualms with his diminished role on a team that is virtually eliminated from the postseason. And while the Steelers aren’t quite a contender, Thielen saw immediate playing time and helped Pittsburgh assert itself in the AFC playoff picture with a win over a divisional rival.
The Steelers have more opportunities for Thielen to play a role down the stretch and potentially make a playoff appearance. After D.K. Metcalf, the Steelers’ receptions leaders are a pair of running backs and tight ends before Calvin Austin III, who was sixth with 26 receptions in 10 games entering Week 14.
Meanwhile, the Vikings can start to give third-round rookie Tai Felton more run ahead of an offseason where they could see Jalen Nailor depart in free agency.
Adam Thielen Facing Backlash From Vikings Fans After Steelers Debut