Russell Wilson #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers
As the NFL trade deadline approaches, the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in an unusual position. With star receivers like Davante Adams, Amari Cooper, DeAndre Hopkins, and even former Steeler Diontae Johnson already traded, the Steelers have remained noticeably quiet. This lack of movement is surprising, given Pittsburgh’s early season buzz about potentially adding another target to complement George Pickens—a receiver who could bring consistency over the middle while still offering a deep-ball threat for quarterback Russell Wilson. And yet, despite coming close to acquiring Brandon Aiyuk from San Francisco, Pittsburgh has yet to make a move.
With many big names off the table and the receiver market tightening, some analysts are suggesting that fans might want to temper their expectations for the Steelers ahead of the November 5 trade deadline. But the reality is that Pittsburgh’s thin wide receiver corps could still benefit from reinforcements. Enter veteran receiver Adam Thielen.
A recent CBS Sports mock draft speculates that the Steelers could trade for Thielen, who could fill a crucial role as a steady, experienced option in the slot. As analyst Josh Edwards notes, with Carolina already letting go of Diontae Johnson, it wouldn’t be a shock if Thielen, or even Jadeveon Clowney, were next in line for a trade as the Panthers look to build draft capital for the future. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, lacks depth in the passing game, making Thielen a potentially effective addition.
Though he may no longer be the Pro Bowl-caliber player he was with Minnesota, Thielen remains a savvy route-runner and a solid release valve when Wilson needs a quick option under pressure. While he’s missed time since September 22 due to a hamstring injury, Thielen has a history of bouncing back quickly.
This season, he’s logged 109 yards over three games with Carolina, a modest stat line but one that doesn’t fully capture his reliability and potential value as a safety net receiver. Thielen’s contract is also manageable, entering the second year of a three-year, $25 million deal, with no guaranteed money in 2025. If the Steelers can make this trade happen, Thielen might just be the steady veteran presence to round out Pittsburgh’s offense.
