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Pittsburgh Steelers Sign Veteran 2-Time Pro Bowl WR Less Than 24 Hours After Vikings Release

 

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – December 3, 2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers created one of early December’s biggest shocks by swiftly signing a 2-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, barely a day after the Minnesota Vikings officially released him. With the playoff race tightening, the Steelers made it clear they weren’t willing to waste a single moment strengthening their roster.

The 35-year-old receiver—who rose from an undrafted longshot to a Vikings icon—has amassed more than 8,000 yards, 60 touchdowns, and built a reputation for elite professionalism, discipline, and some of the sharpest route-running in the NFL. While he’s no longer in his twenties, his football IQ and ability to deliver in high-pressure moments still make him one of the most valuable veterans available for any contender.

Steelers reportedly claim former Vikings WR Adam Thielen off waivers -  Yahoo Sports

The Steelers have struggled with inconsistency at the wide receiver position in recent weeks, especially with injuries forcing young players into roles far larger than their experience level. That’s why the organization moved quickly, reaching out the moment negotiations opened. Just hours later, the veteran WR was already at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex for medical evaluations and meetings with team leadership. News spread instantly across Pittsburgh, sending Steelers Nation into a wave of excitement.

During his first appearance with his new team, he delivered an emotional, attention-grabbing quote — honest, heartfelt, and powerful enough to spark NFL-wide buzz:

“I still have fire in me, still have that hunger to run into the fight every Sunday. And if a team believes I can help them go further, I’ll pour my whole heart into that journey. Pittsburgh didn’t just give me a chance — they made me feel like my heart had belonged here all along.”

Head coach Mike Tomlin also offered strong praise for the experienced newcomer:
“We’re always looking for players who can help us improve immediately. He’s the kind of guy who brings not only skill but leadership and the standards we value.”

With this timely and impactful addition, the Steelers sent a loud and clear message: they don’t just want to make the playoffs — they want to compete for real. If the 2-time Pro Bowl WR can still tap into the form that made him a star, this could become one of the most significant late-season acquisitions of the 2025 campaign — veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen.

Just Three Hours After Being Released by the Packers, 2× Pro Bowl Star Deletes Every Post About Green Bay After His Attempt to Take a Pay Cut to Stay Was Rejected — His Vow Never to Return Leaves Packers Nation in Sympathy .
Green Bay, Wisconsin – The offseason took an emotional turn for the Green Bay Packers when the organization decided to release veteran offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins as part of a salary-cap adjustment. But what happened just hours later turned the situation into one of the most emotional storylines of the week across the NFL. According to multiple reports, Jenkins — a two-time Pro Bowl selection and former All-Pro honoree — had attempted to negotiate with the team and even offered to take a pay cut in order to remain with the franchise that originally drafted him. The effort ultimately fell short as Green Bay chose to move forward with a roster reset, clearing nearly $20 million in cap space for the 2026 season. Just three hours after the release became official, fans began noticing something unusual on Jenkins’ social media accounts. Every post connected to his years in Green Bay — from locker room celebrations to photos wearing the iconic green-and-gold uniform — had quietly disappeared. Jenkins had been one of the pillars of the Packers’ offensive line since being selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State. Throughout multiple seasons, he built a reputation for rare versatility, capable of playing guard, tackle, and center at an elite level, and was widely regarded as one of the most reliable and flexible offensive linemen in the league. At his peak, Jenkins was often described as Green Bay’s “secret weapon” on the offensive front. He protected multiple quarterbacks over the years and helped anchor an offense that consistently remained competitive during several playoff runs. His ability to seamlessly shift across nearly every position along the offensive line made him one of the most trusted players inside the Packers’ locker room. At first, the decision to erase those memories surprised many fans. But once reports surfaced that Jenkins had been willing to sacrifice financially just to remain with the team, the reaction across Packers Nation quickly shifted from shock to empathy. Green Bay will always hold a special place in my heart because it’s where my journey truly began. But sometimes you fight to stay somewhere and still realize that chapter has ended, and when that moment comes, the only thing you can do is walk away with respect for every memory that was built there. While Jenkins did not criticize the organization, sources close to the situation say the emotional weight of the release influenced his decision to remove the posts. What surprised many even more was the report that Jenkins has told people close to him that he does not plan to return to Green Bay at any point in his career, choosing instead to start an entirely new chapter elsewhere in the NFL. Yet instead of anger, the reaction from Packers fans has largely been one of understanding. For many supporters, Jenkins’ willingness to take a pay cut simply reinforced what they had long believed. He wasn’t just protecting the quarterback on Sundays.He was trying to protect a home he once hoped would last his entire career.