Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen has announced his retirement from the NFL. Thielen revealed the news in an Instagram post.
“What a ride it has been!” Thielen’s wrote. “13 years what a blessing! Have been blessed with so many great relationships and mentors over the years that I am forever grateful for! Thank you to everyone who has supported me through the years, it has meant everything to my family and I!”
The Steelers claimed Thielen off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings on Dec. 2. He served as the Steelers’ No. 2 wide receiver down the stretch.
Thielen’s wife, Caitlin, revealed in an Instagram post that her husband’s request to be released by the Vikings was more about playing time than winning. The Vikings used Thielen sparingly. In 11 games, he made four starts, but was targeted just 18 times and made eight catches for 69 yards.
Thielen’s wife also said it was his last year, so Wednesday’s news does not come as a surprise.
“It’s been tough, it’s been really tough for Adam,” Caitlin said in an Instagram story on Tuesday. “It’s not even about wins or losses. It’s about Adam wanting to compete, wanting to play. This is his last season. … I just know him as a competitor, he wants to compete, he wants to play, he wants to prove, he’s always been about proving people, proving to himself.”
Thielen wanted to finish his last go-round with a contending crew. In six games with the Steelers, he recorded 11 receptions for 117 yards (10.6). His biggest play came in the Steelers’ Week 18 win over the Baltimore Ravens, catching a 28-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers down the seam.
Veteran NFL receiver Adam Thielen announces his retirement. pic.twitter.com/AgVsKHXJJ2
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 14, 2026
Thielen, 35, joined his third team this season. He started the year with the Carolina Panthers, who traded him to the Vikings on Aug. 27 in a late-round pick swap.
The move to Minnesota was a return home, and to where he played the best years of his career. An undrafted free agent out of Minnesota State, Thielen first joined the Vikings in 2013.
After spending a season on the price squad, he made the NFL roster in 2014 and played mostly special teams. He became a starter in his third season in 2016 and was an All-Pro in 2017, racking up 1,276 yards and four touchdowns. He bested that in his second career Pro Bowl season in 2018, with 1,373 yards and nine scores.
Thielen left Minnesota in 2023, signing with the Panthers on a three-year, $25 million contract. At 33 years old, he showed he still had some juice left in the tank, posting his third career 1,000-yard season. But he was limited to just 10 games due to injury in 2024 before his trade this summer.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Veteran WR Announces Retirement
