Overview
- Thielen announced his decision on Instagram on Wednesday, days after his final game in the Steelers’ wild-card loss to the Texans in which he had two catches for 25 yards.
- He finishes with 704 receptions, 8,497 yards and 64 touchdowns across 178 regular-season games at age 35.
- With Minnesota, he ranks No. 4 in receptions (542), No. 5 in receiving yards (6,751) and No. 3 in touchdown catches (55) in franchise history.
- A Minnesota State product who entered the league undrafted in 2013, Thielen earned Pro Bowl honors in 2017 and 2018 and posted multiple 1,000-yard seasons, including with Carolina in 2023.
- His 2025 season included a trade back to the Vikings, limited production (eight catches for 69 yards), a waiver request granted by Minnesota, and a December claim by Pittsburgh to close his career.