Before long, he blossomed into one of the most reliable, safe wideouts the NFL had to offer in the late 2010s.
Thielen’s breakout season came in 2017 when he had 91 receptions for 1,276 yards and four touchdowns, earning him his first Pro Bowl trip, during a 13-win season that saw Minnesota reach the NFC Championship game. In his senior campaign, he proved it was no fluke, posting a career-best 113 catches for 1,373 yards while scoring nine TDs.
After an injury-shortened 2019 campaign, Thielen was back on track, elevating his game as a complete route-runner and scoring threat, notching 14- and 10-TD seasons in 2020 and 2021, respectively. During that time, Justin Jefferson arrived in Minnesota, and Thielen was instrumental in adapting the first round pick to become one of the top WRs in the NFL rather quickly.
For three seasons, the Jefferson-Thielen WR duo proved successful, but the Vikings’ hands were tied through 2023, cutting Thielen into a salary cap decision.
Thielen signed with the Panthers as a free agent in 2023 and went on to produce 103 receptions for 1,014 yards and four TDs in his first season in Carolina. He would spend another year with the Panthers, but his age-34 season was lost with Carolina’s rebuild.
Thielen was traded back to Minnesota for the 2025 season. But the Vikings’ rough start led Thielen to look for work elsewhere, perhaps knowing it would be his last campaign. After the Vikings honored his release request, Thielen was picked up by the Steelers in early December.
Along with Aaron Rodgers — a longtime opponent in Green Bay — Thielen came up big for Pittsburgh, catching three balls for 43 yards against the Ravens in a Week 18 win and a playoff berth for the AFC North crown.
Thielen’s quest for the elusive Super Bowl ended with a Monday night loss to the Texans. He had two receptions for 25 yards in his last NFL game.
While his last few seasons have come and gone without any postseason glory, Thielen stands as one of the best examples of a career that only took off after making the playoffs. Once an unknown WR out of Minnesota State, Thielen’s career ends with 704 receptions for 8,497 yards and 64 touchdowns in 178 games.