The Pittsburgh Steelers added an accomplished veteran when claiming Adam Thielen off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings. The wide receiver doesn’t have much time to make his mark on the 2025 season.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Thielen said his goal is to learn Pittsburgh’s playbook as “fast as possible.” The two-time Pro Bowler wants to contribute in any way possible, even if he’s not ready to swing a pivotal AFC North game against the Baltimore Ravens this weekend.
“I want to make an impact today,” Thielen said. “I’m not even worried about Sunday right now. I want to make an impact today by being prepared — being mentally prepared and physically prepared.”
Thielen has accrued 8,380 receiving yards over 12 seasons, but the 35-year-old wants to start from square one and earn his spot. He’ll accept whatever opportunity he’s given.
“I’m a big believer that you have to go prove it every day,” he said. “You can’t show up somewhere and just be given an opportunity. You have to go prove what you can do … For me, it’s just going out there every day like I’m a rookie minicamp tryout guy and trying to prove what I can do. And whatever they see that fit is, I’m ready for it.”
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Thielen tallied eight receptions and 69 yards in 11 games before the Vikings waived him. That’s a far cry from his 103 catches for 1,014 yards in 2023, but he remains confident in his abilities.
“I still feel I can run all the routes and that I can be a deep threat, intermediate and short,” Thielen said. “I think sometimes, as an older player, you get tagged as, ‘He can only do this. He can’t run anymore.’ I’ve always felt the need to go prove otherwise.”
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Featured image via Matt Krohn-Imagn Images