Source: Steelers claim WR Adam Thielen, waive CB Darius Slay - ESPN

PITTSBURGH — For his birthday, the Pittsburgh Steelers got Aaron Rodgers a new receiver.

The team was awarded former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen off waivers Tuesday, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The addition comes amid a flurry of moves that also saw the Steelers agree to mutually part ways with veteran cornerback Darius Slay, his agents told Schefter, and sign cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to the active roster from the practice squad, a source told ESPN.

Thielen was waived by the Vikings a day after he was a healthy scratch in the team's 26-0 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said Thielen's agent asked for a release last week as the 35-year-old receiver sought to make a greater contribution elsewhere in the final weeks of his final season before retirement. Once Minnesota's wide receiver corps returned to full strength following Jordan Addison's reinstatement, Thielen's role dwindled. He played just three snaps in his final game against the Packers in Week 12.

«Since this past Spring, I knew this was going to be my last season playing in the National Football League,» Thielen wrote in a post on social media. «Given that, the Vikings allowed me the opportunity to go compete elsewhere for the last few weeks of my career.»

Thielen now lands with a Steelers team that's struggled to generate much offense this season. With Rodgers, who turned 42 on Tuesday, at the helm, the Steelers' passing attack is 24th in the league, averaging just 187.8 yards per game. DK Metcalf, acquired by the Steelers a blockbuster trade this spring, leads the team with 605 receiving yards and five touchdown receptions, but is averaging a career-low 50.4 yards per game. The receiver depth