The Pittsburgh Steelers claimed veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday, assigning him jersey number 16. Thielen, who wore No. 19 throughout his career, joins Pittsburgh to provide depth at receiver amid a quiet season with the Vikings. The move comes as the Steelers released cornerback Darius Slay, who was subsequently claimed by the Buffalo Bills.
Veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen has joined the Pittsburgh Steelers after being claimed off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday. The 35-year-old Thielen, who spent the first 10 years of his career with Minnesota before stints with the Carolina Panthers, will wear No. 16 in Pittsburgh, as listed on the team's official roster. This number was previously held by practice squad wide receiver John Rhys Plumlee, who has switched to No. 82.
Thielen's arrival addresses a need for stability at wide receiver for the Steelers, particularly to support 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers. In 2025 with the Vikings, after being traded from Carolina before the season, Thielen recorded just eight receptions for 69 yards on 18 targets across 185 offensive snaps. Last season with the Panthers, he managed 48 catches for 615 yards and five touchdowns despite missing seven games due to a hamstring injury.
The Steelers hope Thielen's experience in the quick-passing game, where he served as a safety outlet for Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy early in the year, translates well to Pittsburgh's offensive scheme. "The hope is that Thielen can step in with the Steelers and provide some stability at wide receiver for 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers," the report noted.
In a related roster move, the Steelers released cornerback Darius Slay, a Pro Bowl player signed to a one-year, $10 million contract in March. Slay was a healthy scratch in Pittsburgh's recent game against the Bills and requested his release to seek playing time elsewhere. The Buffalo Bills claimed Slay off waivers on Wednesday, inheriting the remainder of his base salary, approximately $350,000 for the balance of the season. Slay's tenure in Pittsburgh was disappointing, falling short of expectations as a major defensive addition.
