Adam Thielen Is Now a Litmus Test

In Pittsburgh, on the other hand, if Thielen rekindles his Carolina ways — he was dependable and productive with Bryce Young at quarterback in 2023 and 2024 — the Vikings’ coaching staff will look silly and borderline incompetent.

Think of it this way: if Thielen pops off for 100 yards on Sunday against the Ravens, Vikings fans, in unison, will collectively think, “What the hell are we even doing?”

Of course, Thielen didn’t help his cause in Minnesota over the last few months, dropping passes at a rate not seen in his illustrious career. But if he looks like a baller with Aaron Rodgers flinging the rock at him, eyebrows will raise.

No Meaningful Action in Minnesota

Three months ago, when the regular season began, WR2 Jordan Addison missed three games because of a suspension. And with an inexperienced quarterback, McCarthy, waiting in the wings, most Vikings fans and NFL onlookers expected Thielen to slide into the Addison role, at least for a few games.

That never happened. In fact, Thielen didn’t even flirt with the WR3 job. When it was all said and done for the brief Thielen sequel, his numbers matched those of some team’s WR6.

Thielen did not see meaningful action in Minnesota this time around, and when he did, he usually dropped the pass from McCarthy or Wentz.

Now Playing on a Subpar WR Corps

But in Pittsburgh, Thielen does actually have a shot to command WR2 targets. Why? Because, compared to most NFL teams, the Steelers’ wide receivers stink. It’s D.K. Metcalf — and then dudes who might live on other clubs’ practice squad.

Are you familiar with Calvin Austin? What’s your take on Roman Wilson’s career highlight tape? What about Ben Skowronek? Exactly.

T.J. Hockenson? He’s the fourth-highest-paid tight end in the world, and the Vikings treat him like a fringe TE2.

Does O’Connell even have a playbook for a young quarterback? Does everything have to be down-the-field shots that might confuse a youngster who just so happens to stink?

Where in the hell is Tai Felton?

A big game or more from Thielen in Pittsburgh would further complicate the Vikings coaching staff’s recent decision-making.

Steelers-Themed Media on Thielen

On Thielen’s role in Pittsburgh, Behind the Steel Curtain‘s Ryland Bickely wrote this week, “I don’t think it’s a bad signing by any means. Thielen is cheap, with just a $1.1 million cap hit this season per Spotrac. While he’s clearly regressing due to age, he’s just a year removed from being a 615-yard receiver for the Panthers last year.”

“And more importantly, he brings experience and a veteran savvy to a wide receiving unit that’s been sorely lacking it this season, much to Aaron Rodgers’ likely chagrin (see the above article). I’ve criticized the Steelers a lot this season for being too veteran-heavy, but this is the one position where it makes a modicum of sense to add another. Does that mean Thielen will be WR2? I highly doubt it.”

ESPN’s Football Power Index predicts the Steelers to finish 8-9.

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