The Pittsburgh Steelers shook things up on Tuesday, making two notable roster moves that speak volumes about where this team stands-and where it hopes to go.
First, the Steelers claimed veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen off waivers, just a day after he requested his release from the Minnesota Vikings. It’s a move that signals urgency from a team still trying to find its offensive identity deep into the season.
Thielen, a two-time Pro Bowler with a résumé that includes three 1,000-yard seasons, brings experience and savvy to a wide receiver room that’s been searching for answers. At 35, he’s not the same explosive playmaker he once was, and his production this season-just eight catches for 69 yards in 11 games-reflects that. But in Pittsburgh, the bar for impact at the position isn’t exactly sky-high right now.
Outside of DK Metcalf, who’s been the lone consistent threat in the passing game, the Steelers’ receiving corps has struggled to gain traction. Metcalf is the only wideout on the roster with more than 300 receiving yards this season.
Calvin Austin and rookie Roman Wilson have flashed in spurts, but neither has emerged as a reliable second option. That lack of depth was glaring in Sunday’s loss to the Bills, where the offense managed just seven points-and where quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn’t hold back in calling out his receivers afterward.
Thielen may not be a game-breaker anymore, but what he does bring is veteran presence, sharp route-running, and a knack for finding soft spots in coverage. For a team hovering at 6-6 and fighting to stay in the playoff hunt, even marginal improvements in the passing game could make a difference. If nothing else, Thielen gives Rodgers another experienced set of hands to trust in critical moments.
On the other side of the ball, Pittsburgh and cornerback Darius Slay have agreed to part ways. Slay, who signed a one-year deal with the team in the offseason, was a healthy scratch in Sunday’s loss-a clear sign that something wasn’t working. The mutual decision to move on feels like a reset for both sides.
Slay’s time in Pittsburgh never really got off the ground. He was expected to bring leadership and playmaking ability to the secondary, but his role diminished as the season wore on. Whether it was scheme fit, performance, or something behind the scenes, the writing was on the wall when he didn’t suit up despite being healthy.
With December football now in full swing, the Steelers are clearly in evaluation mode. They’re still in the thick of the AFC playoff picture, but they know they need more consistency-on both sides of the ball-if they want to make a real push. Thielen’s arrival and Slay’s departure are two sides of the same coin: a team trying to find the right formula before it’s too late.