Steelers’ Wide Receiver Dilemma: Why Adam Thielen Over Roman Wilson Just Isn’t Adding Up
When the Pittsburgh Steelers made the call to sideline Roman Wilson in favor of veteran Adam Thielen, it raised more than a few eyebrows. Wilson, the rookie third-round pick from the 2024 draft, hadn’t been perfect, but he showed flashes-those glimpses of potential that coaches and fans alike hang onto when building for the future. Thielen, on the other hand, brought experience-but not much else.
Let’s start with the numbers. Before joining Pittsburgh, Thielen suited up for 11 games with the Minnesota Vikings this season.
His production? Just eight catches on 18 targets for 69 yards.
That’s 3.8 yards per target-well below the league average-and a combined passer rating of 55.1 when quarterbacks looked his way. For context, that's the kind of number that typically gets receivers bumped down the depth chart, not elevated to a bigger role.
The Vikings clearly saw the writing on the wall. They granted Thielen’s request for release, and the Steelers-perhaps hoping for a spark or some veteran savvy-swooped in.
But so far in Pittsburgh, that spark hasn’t just failed to ignite-it’s barely flickered.
In his first two games in black and gold, Thielen has logged 63 offensive snaps. His stat line?
Two catches for 11 yards. That’s not a typo.
That’s 5.5 receiving yards per game from a player who’s now being asked to fill a No. 2 receiver role.
Dig a little deeper, and the numbers get even more troubling. Thielen is averaging just 0.4 yards per route run and 0.17 yards per offensive snap.
Those are efficiency metrics that typically belong to a wide receiver buried on the depth chart-not someone lining up opposite the WR1. And when you turn on the tape, the issues are obvious.
Thielen isn’t creating separation. He’s not threatening defenses.
He’s just... there.
Pro Football Focus isn’t pulling any punches either. Thielen’s PFF grade through two games with the Steelers sits at 48.2, down from an already underwhelming 51.5 with the Vikings. If that 48.2 grade qualified for the league rankings, it would rank dead last among 130 NFL receivers.
And that brings us back to Roman Wilson.
Yes, Wilson had his ups and downs-he’s a rookie, after all-but he brought something Thielen hasn’t: upside. Against the Packers on Sunday Night Football in Week 8, Wilson hauled in four of five targets for 74 yards and a touchdown. That one game nearly matched Thielen’s entire season output through Week 15.
Overall, Wilson has turned 21 targets into 166 yards and a touchdown. That’s nearly double Thielen’s production on just one more target.
And perhaps more telling: when Steelers quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph target Wilson, their combined passer rating is a stellar 114.4. That’s elite territory.
Now, it’s true that Pittsburgh’s passing game has looked better over the last two weeks. But let’s be honest-that has more to do with the defenses they’ve faced (which haven’t exactly been known for getting after the quarterback) and Aaron Rodgers finding his rhythm. It’s not about Thielen suddenly becoming a difference-maker.
Mike Tomlin isn’t one to second-guess himself publicly, and that’s part of what makes him who he is. But the decision to prioritize a 35-year-old receiver with declining separation ability over a 24-year-old with speed, burst, and growth potential? That’s looking more like a misstep with each passing week.
The good news? It’s not too late to pivot.
Wilson’s shown he can contribute when given the chance. The Steelers are still in the thick of the playoff hunt, and every snap counts.
If Pittsburgh wants to make a real run-and build something sustainable-they may need to lean into the future, not the past.