Adam Thielen’s journey from long-shot NFL hopeful to accomplished veteran has reached its conclusion.
The two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver announced his retirement from football Wednesday, ending a 13-year NFL career that defied expectations. Thielen, 35, shared the news on social media following the conclusion of the 2025 season, which ended with the Steelers’ Wild Card Round loss to the Houston Texans.
“What a ride it has been!” Thielen wrote on Instagram. “13 years — what a blessing! I’ve 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 me.”
The decision had been building for some time. Thielen acknowledged last May that he was “winding down” his career, and his trade back to the Minnesota Vikings just before the 2025 season felt like a fitting full-circle moment. Minnesota is where Thielen’s unlikely NFL story first began.
An undrafted free agent out of Minnesota State in 2013, Thielen initially spent a season on the Vikings’ practice squad and the next several years fighting for a spot on the depth chart. His breakthrough came in 2016, when injuries — including one to Stefon Diggs — opened the door for increased playing time. Thielen seized the opportunity and never looked back, establishing himself as one of the league’s most reliable receivers.
Over the course of 13 seasons, Thielen carved out a career defined by perseverance, consistency and production, earning two Pro Bowl selections and the respect of teammates and coaches across the league. His rise from obscurity to NFL mainstay stands as one of the league’s most compelling success stories.
