Adam Thielen had a legendary career for an undrafted free agent

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Adam Thielen (16). Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Adam Thielen put together a legendary career for an undrafted free agent

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Jan 14, 2026 9:45 PM ET

Adam Thielen is calling it a career after 13 seasons.

Thielen, who most recently played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, revealed on social media that he's hanging up his cleats.

"What a ride it has been! Have been blessed with so many great relationships and mentors over the years that I am forever grateful for! Thank you to everyone who has supported me through the years it has meant everything to my family and I," he said.

Thielen, 35, spent time with two teams in 2025. One of them was the Minnesota Vikings, who waived him to end his second stint with the team so that he could find a bigger role somewhere else.

He wound up with the Steelers, fielding passes from Aaron Rodgers, but he finished the season with just 19 catches for 186 yards with no touchdowns. It's worth noting that 11 of those receptions and 117 yards came in his five games and three starts with the Steelers.

Veteran NFL receiver Adam Thielen announces his retirement. pic.twitter.com/AgVsKHXJJ2
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 14, 2026

Speaking of the Vikings, Thielen made his biggest mark in the NFL as an undrafted free agent for Minnesota from 2014 to 2022.

Adam Thielen's football story was epic

Coming to the NFL out of Minnesota State University, Thielen was picked up by the Vikings after a rookie tryout after the draft. He was waived as part of roster cuts in fall camp, but ended up on the practice squad.

He played well in the 2014 preseason and actually made the 53-man roster coming out of camp. He made his mark on that team as a special-teamer, but he slowly but surely kept earning the trust of the people around him.

By 2016, he started 10-of-16 games for the Vikings as a wideout while catching 69 passes for 967 yards and five touchdowns.

That was Thielen's breakout year, and he went on to earn Pro Bowl honors in 2017 and 2018, respectively. In 2017, he was actually a second-team All-Pro wide receiver.

That season, he caught 91 passes for 1,276 yards and four touchdowns. In 2017, he caught 113 passes for 1,373 yards and nine touchdowns. In 2020, Thielen caught 74 passes for 925 yards and 14 touchdowns.

From a DII college player to an undrafted free agent to having a stint as one of the best wide receivers in football, Thielen's career will definitely go down in the "legendary" category.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

More must-reads: