Recently Waived Vikings Legend Lands with New Team

Things have gone downhill quickly for the Minnesota Vikings. After spending heavily this offseason, the on-field product has been disappointing. The situation has become so bad that hometown hero Adam Thielen asked to leave.

Minnesota traded for Thielen as depth just before the regular season began. He was a healthy scratch against the Seattle Seahawks, and with the Vikings sitting at 4-8, the team let him walk to find a potential contender. His landing spot is an interesting one.

Pittsburgh Steelers grab Adam Thielen

Adam Thielen left the Minnesota Vikings two years ago to sign with the Carolina Panthers. When he returned to Minnesota this season, he believed the team had a real chance to win. Eleven games later, it became clear that wasn’t the case, and now will be catching passes from Aaron Rodgers instead.

Two-time Pro Bowl WR Adam Thielen was claimed off waivers by the Steelers, per source.

Thielen, 35, wanted one more shot at a Super Bowl in his final season and now lands with longtime NFC North rival Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/if1NOr2XGS

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 2, 2025

In 11 games with Minnesota, Thielen caught just eight passes for 69 yards. Despite making four starts, he was barely involved in the game plan and never appeared to be more than an afterthought in the offense.

Thielen also confirmed what many assumed: this will be the final season of his career. Ultimately he is expected to return to Minnesota and enter the Ring of Honor, but for now he is chasing a championship in his last few games.

It has been a mixed year for Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers. The 42-year-old quarterback holds a 6-5 record through 11 games with a 19/7 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Pittsburgh is 6-6 overall, and Rodgers is battling with multiple fractures in his left wrist.

Last weekend, Rodgers faced the Buffalo Bills, completing just 10-of-21 passes for 117 yards in a loss. The Steelers hope he can finish out the year, and Thielen gives him another reliable target over the middle.

Desmond Ridder released by MN Vikings

Thielen wasn’t the only roster move the Minnesota made this week. The Vikings signed veteran quarterback Desmond Ridder ahead of last week’s game, but with J.J. McCarthy trending toward a return, Ridder was quickly deemed unnecessary.

The #Vikings have released QB Desmond Ridder from the practice squad.

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 2, 2025

Ridder has spent multiple short stints with Minnesota but has never been elevated to the active roster. With McCarthy close to healthy, he will be backed up by Max Brosmer, who made his first NFL start on Sunday and threw four interceptions.

Minnesota now hopes McCarthy can handle the starting role the rest of the way. That will require both development and improved health from the former first-round pic.