Overview
- Minnesota waived Thielen at his agent’s request to seek a larger role, and Pittsburgh put in a successful waiver claim on December 2.
- Caitlin Thielen said on Instagram that he will retire after this season, and the receiver wrote that he has known since the spring this would be his final year.
- Thielen logged eight receptions for 69 yards in 2025 with the Vikings and was a healthy scratch before the release.
- Thielen said learning the new playbook is steep as he works to pick up Arthur Smith’s system, with Aaron Rodgers noting the veteran feels fresh and coaches indicating he could play as soon as this week.
- Spotrac reports the remaining 2025 pay is split among three teams, with the Steelers covering about $1.1 million, the Vikings roughly $3.8 million, and the Panthers about $1.75 million, as Pittsburgh also adjusted its roster by moving on from Darius Slay and elevating Asante Samuel Jr.