Steelers Get Brutal Adam Thielen Take After Vikings Release
Adam Thielen did not have to wait long for his next opportunity after the Minnesota Vikings waived him on December 1. The Pittsburgh Steelers claimed the veteran wide receiver off waivers on December 2, who remain in the AFC North race and are looking for any boost they can get.
Pittsburgh followed that move by adding cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to the active roster from the practice squad, according to ESPN.
Thielen had only recently returned to Minnesota before the 2025 NFL season, rejoining the Vikings in late August after a trade from the Carolina Panthers. With Thielen now with the Steelers, NBC Sports NFL insider Mike Florio believes that the wideout probably didn’t want to go to Pittsburgh.
“Poor Thielen, like Brandon Cooks was able to get through waivers and sign with any team he wanted,” Florio said on the December 3 edition of “Pro Football Talk.” “
“Welcome to Pittsburgh, Adam Thielen. Enjoy the five games with the Steelers. He has said he plans to retire after the season, and while he might get one more game, it’s hard to see him getting more than that once the regular season ends.”
Adam Thielen’s Wife Breaks Silence on Vikings’ Release
When it became official that Thielen’s second stint in Minnesota was over and that he would continue his career with the Steelers, his wife opened up about why the veteran was seeking a fresh start, as it will now be his final season.
“It’s not even about wins or losses, it’s about Adam wanting to compete, wanting to play,” Caitlin said on an Instagram video (h/t VikingzFanPage). “This is his last season… I know him as a competitor, he wants to compete, wants to play, wants to prove, he’s always been about proving people, proving to himself.”
Thielen steps into a Steelers wide receiver group that already features DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, Ke’Shawn Williams, and Scotty Miller.
Adam Thielen Was Ready for Another Chapter
Thielen’s exit from the Vikings came a day after he was held out as a healthy scratch in the 26-0 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah explained that Thielen’s agent had asked for the change the previous week.
As a result, the 35-year-old receiver was looking for a spot that would give him a larger role as he approached the final stretch of what is expected to be his last season.
“Since this past Spring, I knew this was going to be my last season playing in the National Football League, ” Thielen wrote in a post on social media (h/t ESPN
The Steelers will be dropping Thielen into a significant game in Week 14, as they face the Baltimore Ravens in a battle for the AFC North division.
Chiefs’ Backup Tackle Plan Revealed in Light of Jawaan Taylor Injury
At this point in the NFL season, no team is 100%. Every club — every player, really — is battling a bump or bruise. The Kansas City Chiefs are no different, as they’re quite banged up on the front line.
Already without right guard Trey Smith in Week 13’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys, two more players suffered injuries in-game. Both of quarterback Patrick Mahomes‘ starting tackles, Josh Simmons on the left and Jawaan Taylor on the right, went down.
As Week 14 arrives, Simmons is sidelined following surgery on his wrist. Taylor, who continues to nurse a triceps ailment, isn’t practicing on Wednesday. That potentially puts Kansas City in a bind.
Andy Reid on Chiefs’ Tackle Plan if Jawaan Taylor Misses Texans Game
While it’s unclear whether Taylor will suit up on Sunday against the Houston Texans, the Chiefs must prepare either way. Speaking to the media on Wednesday, head coach Andy Reid tipped his cap to the club’s replacement options.
In Week 16 of last season, both tackle Wanya Morris and guard Mike Caliendo played against these very Texans. Reid believes that experience could come in handy if either or both is needed again.
“The one positive is two of the three of them played against them last year,” Reid said. “They did a good job. They know what they’re up against. That’s a great defensive front — great defense, all three levels. Number one in a lot of categories there, defensively. Those guys are getting themselves ready to go.”
When asked about a possible Taylor-less lineup configuration, Reid admitted Morris would likely play left tackle with offseason pickup Jaylon Moore occupying the opposite spot.
“We’ll see what happens with the injured guys first,” Reid began. “But yeah, he’d probably be at the right tackle and Wanya at the left if that’s the way it went.”
Kansas City Has All Praise for Texans’ Defense Ahead of Week 14 Matchup
If the Chiefs can overcome adversity and find a way to succeed against the Texans’ defense, it may be their most impressive feat this year. Houston leads the sport in points per drive on defense, as well as overall yardage. That’s without even factoring in the best pass-stopping unit in football (-0.108 EPA/pass, per Jefe’s Handiwork) and the No. 5 run defense (-0.134 EPA/rush).
Reid is certainly aware of how dominant that side of the ball is in H-Town.
“It starts up front,” Reid said. “They’ve got an active front. I think their linebackers, likewise, are tuned in. They can run, tackle, very sound that way. Their back end, likewise, they’ve got talent on the back end. All three levels, they’re solid. I think they all work together. They’ve done a nice job.”
Center Creed Humphrey echoed a similar sentiment.
“Very talented all across the board, all three levels of the defense, very talented” Humphrey said. “They present a good challenge. They have great pass rushers, great players inside, great linebackers, great secondary. It presents a good challenge. The guys are excited for it. We’re ready to get in here and work throughout this week and get the game plan figured out, then show up on Sunday ready to play.”
Slowing down the pass-rushing duo of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter is so much easier said than done. When you add cornerbacks Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter into the picture, that becomes an even more daunting task.
Kansas City will need everyone to bring their A-game in Week 14, especially if Taylor joins Simmons among the ranks of the inactive.
