Thielen announced on social media Wednesday that he is retiring from the NFL, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

In his last NFL campaign, Thielen played in 16 regular-season games (11 with the Vikings and five with the Steelers), combining for 19 catches (on 35 targets) for 186 yards in that span. The 35-year-old wideout, who originally entered the league with the Vikings after going undrafted out of Minnesota State in 2013, thus finishes up his NFL career -- which included two Pro Bowl selections -- with a 704/8,497/64 receiving line in 178 regular-season outings.

Thielen secured three of six targets for 43 yards during Sunday's 26-24 win over the Ravens.

EDGE Analysis

Thielen was on the field for 67 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps during Sunday's regular-season finale, and he topped 40 receiving yards for the second time in five appearances since joining the team. DK Metcalf (suspension) is slated to return to action for next Monday's wild-card matchup against Houston, so Thielen's role will likely decrease during postseason action. Overall, Thielen had a limited role between the Vikings and Steelers during the regular season, securing 19 of 35 targets for 186 yards and no touchdowns across 16 appearances.

Thielen caught two passes for 14 yards on five targets in the Steelers' 13-6 loss to the Browns on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Despite DK Metcalf serving his suspension, Thielen was tied for third on the team in targets and finished sixth in receiving yards. At 35 years old, Thielen simply doesn't have a whole lot left in the tank while also playing in a passing offense that is unable to support more than one pass catcher.

Thielen caught all four of his targets for 49 yards in the Steelers' 29-24 win over the Lions on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Thielen's targets, catches and yards were all new season-highs for the 35-year-old wideout. After producing just two catches for 11 yards on two targets in his first two games with the Steelers, Thielen finished second on the team in receiving against Detroit. He's emerging as a clear top-three wide receiver in Pittsburgh, but it's unlikely to translate to useful fantasy numbers outside of deeper formats ahead of next Sunday's game against the Browns.

Thielen secured his lone target for seven yards during Monday's 28-15 win over Miami.

EDGE Analysis

Thielen ranked second among Pittsburgh's wide receivers Monday by playing 58 percent of the team's offensive snaps, but he wasn't heavily involved in the passing game. The 35-year-old has seen an uptick in playing time since being waived by Minnesota and subsequently claimed by Pittsburgh, but he's been targeted just once in each of his first two appearances with his new team. Despite his increased snap counts, Thielen's fantasy potential remains limited late in the regular season.

Thielen secured his lone target for four yards during Sunday's 27-22 win over the Ravens.

EDGE Analysis

Although Thielen's target share was low, it was encouraging that he was on the field for 48 percent of the team's offensive snaps after being claimed off waivers from the Vikings on Tuesday. The 35-year-old had a disappointing start to the year, securing just eight of 18 targets for 69 yards. While he could see more playing time in Pittsburgh down the stretch, the Steelers' passing game has struggled to find much success under Aaron Rodgers, so Thielen's fantasy upside figures to remain limited.

Thielen is active for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thielen was claimed off waivers by the Steelers on Tuesday and will now be active just five days later. Pittsburgh has been without a viable No. 2 receiver behind DK Metcalf all season, so Thielen should be in for a significant role immediately. However, due to limited pass volume and his own declining skill set, that role still isn't likely to lead to fantasy relevance in most formats.

The Steelers claimed Thielen off waivers from the Vikings on Tuesday, Teresa Varley of Pittsburgh's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

The oldest active receiver in the NFL, the 35-year-old Thielen didn't appear to have much juice left during his second stint in Minnesota earlier this season. He managed just eight receptions for 69 yards on 18 targets in 11 appearances before the Vikings made him a healthy inactive for this past Sunday's loss to Seattle. After requesting and being granted his release, Thielen has caught on with a Steelers team lacking in quality receiver depth beyond No. 1 option DK Metcalf, so he could have an immediate opportunity to push the likes of Calvin Austin, Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek for reps. Though he'll benefit from an upgrade in quarterback play in Pittsburgh with Aaron Rodgers under center, Thielen is still unlikely to see enough of a jump in his production in his new locale to warrant much fantasy interest.

The Vikings waived Thielen on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Thielen announced on social media Monday that the 2025 season will be his last in the NFL, and he'd like the opportunity to play for a contender over the final five weeks of the season. Acquired from the Panthers ahead of Week 1, Thielen started three of the first four games of the season while Jordan Addison was suspended, but Thielen's role has continued to shrink ever since. After playing just three offensive snaps Week 12, Thielen was a heathy inactive for Sunday's 26-0 loss to the Seahawks. On the year, Thielen has an 8-69-0 line on 18 targets across 11 games. The 35-year-old doesn't appear to have a whole lot left in the tank.

Thielen (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran wide receiver's role in the offense has noticeably dipped since the Vikings' Week 6 bye, and Thielen will be an observer for Sunday's road game in Seattle. His absence means Tai Felton and Myles Price will be the rotational wideouts for the Vikings behind Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor. Thielen's next opportunity to play is Week 14 against the Commanders on Sunday, Dec. 7, though he's unlikely to play in that game unless there is an injury to the Vikings' wide receiver corps.