Who Should I Start? Robert Woods or Adam Thielen

Tuesday, August 26, 12:31 PM

The Pittsburgh Steelers are releasing veteran wide receiver Robert Woods on Tuesday, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. However, the door is open for a possible return if Woods doesn't get picked up by another team before the start of the regular season in early September. The 33-year-old plans to play either way in 2025. Even before the release of Woods, Pittsburgh's receiver depth chart was thin behind DK Metcalf. Behind Metcalf, the Steelers currently have Calvin Austin III (abdomen), Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek. Wilson is the favorite to open the year as the WR3. Woods, who is heading into his 13th year in the NFL, caught just 20 of his 30 targets for 203 yards and no touchdowns in 15 regular-season games (four starts) in 2024 with the Houston Texans. He's nearing the end of his career and is well off the fantasy radar.

Saturday, August 30, 11:42 AM

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that the Minnesota Vikings have reworked veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen's contract. Pelissero notes that the 35-year-old's salary will be cut by $2 million, while $4 million in incentives will be removed. It was seemingly never about the money for Thielen, who returns to the team that took a chance on him as an undrafted free agent back in 2013. The Minnesota State alum missed a good chunk of time during 2024 with a hamstring strain, but averaged 72.3 receiving yards per game from Weeks 12 to 18 when he was healthy. That includes two 100-yard efforts and one more just shy of that (99). Thielen projects to play a sizable role in the offense while teammate Jordan Addison serves his three-game suspension to start the year. Still, his production could be volatile with the unknown variable of second-year signal-caller J.J. McCarthy.