Getting to 9-8 this season won’t be an easy task for the Pittsburgh Steelers and their head coach, Mike Tomlin. Their latest loss this year has pointed to this team potentially hitting a disaster point in the campaign. Unfortunately, there are no fixes in sight regarding outside hires. This team can only right its course if the locker room fixes the problems. That is a tall order for a club that keeps falling short.

One of the weakest points for this roster has been its inconsistency in spreading the ball around on offense. They have three solid tight ends and DK Metcalf to throw to, yet they can’t muster much offense. To no surprise, the Steelers’ receiving game against the Buffalo Bills was pitiful, and there seems to be no fix in sight.

Ongoing problems at the receiver position continue, and the team has yet to fix them.

Tomlin has hit desperation mode, and it could be time for him to hit the panic button. According to veteran receiver Adam Thielen, he has requested his release from the Minnesota Vikings, and the Vikings granted his request. Thielen intends to retire after the season, but the free agent will likely attract interest from several teams. Pittsburgh could be a landing spot.

The Pittsburgh Steelers should stay away from signing free agent WR Adam Thielen

Adding Thielen to the roster wouldn’t help solve the team’s ongoing issues. He would be a nice veteran presence to add to the group, but he isn’t the same player he used to be. The Vikings are struggling this year, and it made sense for them to cut the receiver. Thielen hasn’t worked out since reuniting with Minnesota this past offseason. He deserves a shot at competing and getting snaps.

Tomlin would need to do an exceptional job to convince Thielen to consider Pittsburgh, unless only a few teams show interest.

The veteran wants to win and contribute on offense. If he witnessed what the Steelers just did this past week against the Bills, he could be scared off. In reality, signing Thielen makes little sense when younger players could prove to be better options.

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Through four starts and appearances in 11 games this season, Thielen has produced only 69 receiving yards. He has no touchdowns and has caught just eight passes on 18 targets. His production has fallen off a cliff this season after two solid campaigns with the Carolina Panthers prior. Unless he can turn back time, Thielen would only add to the age concern surrounding the Steelers.

It makes sense for Pittsburgh to check on the receiver’s availability. They were reportedly interested in trading for him before last year’s trade deadline. They failed to acquire him then, but Tomlin may push for fresh talent in the building to help steady the situation. At the end of the day, signing Thielen might look good on paper, but like most of the team, it would add to their ongoing issues.