It took only a week for former Minnesota Vikings wideout Adam Thielen to embrace his fresh start in what will be his final NFL season.
Minnesota released Thielen after he asked to be let go so he could take on a bigger role for the rest of 2025. The veteran, acquired in an offseason trade with the Carolina Panthers to fill in during Jordan Addison’s three-game suspension, saw his snaps drop sharply once Addison returned.
His frustration grew, eventually leading to a healthy scratch before the Vikings cut ties. The Pittsburgh Steelers claimed him on December 2. And although he caught just one pass for four yards in his debut win over the Baltimore Ravens, Thielen sounded rejuvenated.
“It’s been a crazy week. I feel like I found my love for the game again,” Thielen said afterward. “I’m just grateful to be out there, thrown into a big game and rivalry.”
Vikings Fans React to Thielen’s Steelers Debut
His comments drew mixed reactions from Vikings fans who were already aware of his dissatisfaction.
“It’s not even about wins or losses — Adam just wants to compete,” his wife, Caitlin, said in an Instagram video. “This is his last season… he wants to play, he wants to prove himself.”
Some fans pushed back.
“So one catch for 4 yards brought back his ‘love for the game’?” one fan wrote on X. “Lost a lot of respect for Thielen.”
Others defended him, noting he played 25 snaps after less than a week with Pittsburgh’s playbook — compared to just 24 snaps with Minnesota over the previous five weeks.
“All that in a week? Come on. He’s just saying what you’d expect,” another fan added.
Why Parting Ways Made Sense
Ultimately, the split appears to benefit both sides.
Thielen wasn’t happy with a shrinking role on a Vikings team effectively out of the playoff race. Pittsburgh isn’t a true contender either, but it offered him immediate playing time and a chance to contribute to an AFC playoff push.
With the Steelers’ depth chart thin behind D.K. Metcalf — their next-leading receivers being running backs and tight ends — Thielen has a clearer path to snaps as the season winds down.
For Minnesota, the move opens opportunities for rookie third-rounder Tai Felton as the team looks ahead to an offseason that may include Jalen Nailor leaving in free agency.