The Pittsburgh Steelers' passing game has been struggling as much as any team in the NFL in recent weeks. Over the past two weeks, Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph have combined to complete just 34 passes on 55 attempts for 267 net yards (4.8 net yards per attempt) with one touchdown and two interceptions.
The Steelers are coming off a performance in which Rodgers and the offense were able to muster up just seven points and were shut out in the second half against the Buffalo Bills. Pittsburgh must find answers.
But claiming veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen feels like a desperation move.
Thielen narrowly topped a 1,000-yard season two years ago with the Carolina Panthers. Since then, he's gone ice cold. In 11 games with the Minnesota Vikings in 2025—before asking for his release—Thielen recorded just eight receptions on 18 targets for 69 yards.
Now it's presumed that Thielen will soon vault himself into the No. 2 wide receiver spot in the starting lineup, next to DK Metcalf. This roster decision could spell doom for a once-promising Steelers draft pick.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could be giving up on Roman Wilson after the Adam Thielen roster addition
Thielen, 35, has been in the NFL since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2014. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2016 and 2017 after recording back-to-back seasons of at least 1,200 yards. Unfortunately, those days are long behind him.
With the Steelers' disastrous passing performance, Mike Tomlin and company felt like something needed to be done. Sadly, the addition of Thielen may not only stunt the development of Roman Wilson; it could mean that the Steelers are giving up on Wilson altogether.
Wilson, a third-round draft choice in 2024, gave fans reason to be optimistic. The former Michigan standout was the number one receiver on a national championship team. From there, he went on to have a phenomenal Senior Bowl showing and ultimately ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine before declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft.
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Though Wilson's rookie season was essentially claimed by injuries, the 24-year-old receiver flashed this year—showing the ability to win down the field and after the catch. However, Wilson hasn't been productive, and he's only been targeted 21 times this season.
Still, Wilson turned his opportunities into 12 receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns. This means that he's aided Steelers quarterbacks to a passer rating of 114.4 when looking in his direction.
Because of his decade-plus of NFL experience, Thielen may prove to be a more consistent option underneath and over the middle of the field (if the Steelers finally decide to use a WR2). Unfortuantely, Thielen simply isn't a good athlete at this stage of his career. The 35-year-old wideout has just 10 yards after the catch on his eight receptions this year.
Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers have made it abundantly clear that they value veteran experience—even at the cost of getting players who are over the hill. Sadly, this desperate move to get slightly better at the wide receiver position could mean the Steelers are already giving up on Roman Wilson.