Schefter: “Steelers and Panthers do not agree to deal for WR Adam Thielen”

The Pittsburgh Steelers are interested in Carolina Panthers WR Adam Thielen. But both sides disagree on compensation for a trade for him. During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show Tuesday afternoon, Schefter said a source told him he “doubts” a deal will happen.

“Pittsburgh wants to add a wide receiver and Adam Thielen makes as much sense as anyone,” Schefter said on the McAfee Show. “So like a few hours ago, two sides didn’t agree on compensation. We’ll see if anything changes here in the last three and a half hours.”

Thielen is considered one of the best remaining wide receiver trade options in a market that has seen numerous deals over the course of the season. Davante Adams was traded to the New York Jets, DeAndre Hopkins to the Kansas City Chiefs, Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills and Diontae Johnson to the Baltimore Ravens (per NFL rules, Pittsburgh was not allowed to trade for him), even reportedly Jonathan Mingo moved today from the Panthers to the Dallas Cowboys.

Thielen has recovered from a hamstring injury and has not played since the start of the season. But he recorded a 103-catch, 1,000-plus yard season with the Panthers in 2023. At 34, he's nearing the end of his career, but could have enough energy to help the Steelers keep going.

“They've been trying to make a trade since this summer,” Schefter said of Pittsburgh's extensive search for help at wide receiver.

That started with Brandon Aiyuk before moving on to Adams, Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams, Christian Kirk of the Jacksonville Jaguars and virtually every other receiver whose name came up in trade talks. During his press conference on Tuesday, head coach Mike Tomlin said the team was “active” ahead of the trade deadline, but it was a similar stance to previous years.

It's not clear what compensation the Panthers want or what the Steelers are willing to give. Carolina received a minimal return for Johnson, a fifth-round pick for a sixth that could result in an upside of just 10-15 draft spots, but got good value back for Mingo, a fourth-round pick for him and a seventh. However, Mingo is younger, cheaper and is under contract until 2026.

While Schefter's source says the chances of a trade are slim, things can change quickly in the NFL, especially at the deadline.

“I was told this morning, 'I doubt it,'” Schefter told the show. “Let me say this now about this particular trade. Nothing is final on trade deadline day.”

The Steelers' offense has improved significantly with QB Russell Wilson under center. Receivers like Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III made plays. But the team is still looking for help, a sign that the Steelers aren't happy with their wide receiver room, especially with rookie Roman Wilson's year looking like a lost cause. The addition of Thielen wouldn't be a centerpiece, but rather a building block in the Steelers' offense.

Pittsburgh has been looking for a receiver for a long time and it appears GM Omar Khan is setting a price and not bidding against himself. We'll see if either side caves by the 4:00 PM/ET deadline.