Steelers listed as top potential landing spot for Pro Bowl wide receiver

Steelers listed as top potential landing spot for Pro Bowl wide receiver originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers, could use some additional weapons for the final stretch of the season. As a result, the Steelers were listed as a top potential landing spot for veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen by Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports.

Thielen was waived by the Minnesota Vikings after Thielen’s agent requested his release so he could pursue a larger role outside of Minnesota for the final weeks of his career. Thielen, a two-time Pro Bowler, plans to retire following the current campaign.

Steelers listed as a potential destination for Adam Thielen

Thielen caught just eight passes for 69 yards for Minnesota this season, but he was also buried down on the depth chart and had to deal with some subpar quarterback play. He could still potentially be a productive player elsewhere. He had 48 receptions for 615 yards and five TDs for the Carolina Panthers last season.

From Benjamin:

“A day after Aaron Rodgers publicly implied some Steelers receivers aren't fully committed to learning and/or executing their routes, perhaps the overachieving Thielen will draw an endorsement from A-Rod in Steel City. … The Steelers never stopped looking for added pass catching help after acquiring DK Metcalf via trade, so it stands to reason they'd consider this option as well. Mike Tomlin needs all the positive influence he can get as he tries to salvage Pittsburgh's locker room and season.”

Pittsburgh’s passing attack has been one of the worst in the entire NFL this season. The Steelers are averaging just 187.8 passing yards per performance, which is in the bottom third of the league. They mustered just seven points against the Buffalo Bills in Week 13 and afterwards Rodgers appeared to call out his receivers for a lack of dedication.

How much Thielen could actually help Pittsburgh’s offense remains to be seen, but he is a proven veteran with ample experience. As such, he could probably earn the trust of Rodgers and coach Mike Tomlin pretty quickly. Plus, as Wilson pointed out, the Steelers could use all of the help that they can get at this point.

Other teams mentioned by Wilson as potential landing spots for Thielen include the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers.