Team news: Pittsburgh Steelers | Page 3

Homecoming: Panthers and Vikings are finalizing a trade for WR Adam Thielen to return to Minnesota, sources tell ESPN.

The trade: Vikings get Thielen, a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.

Panthers get a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick.

Thielen starred for the Vikings from 2013-2022. Now he returns.

Related Players: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker

This is a good move to ease J.J. McCarthy into the league with Jordan Addison suspended for the first three games. Thielen is heading into his age-35 (!!) season and doesn't offer nearly the run-after-catch ability as he did in his heyday, but he can operate as a consistent option for the young QB. He's unlikely to hit double-digit targets as he did a couple times last year with JJ and T.J. Hockenson around, but he could be playable for desperate deep-league managers.

Back in Carolina, this helps clear the runway for Jalen Coker to operate as the Panthers' primary slot option after a pretty impressive rookie season for a UDFA. He's an interesting stash.

The Seahawks plan to release wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler on Tuesday.

Valdes-Scantling, 30, had been viewed as a candidate to be traded or released even though Seattle guaranteed him $3 million for 2025.

Related players: Tory Horton

MVS played the entire first half of the Seahawks final preseason game, the story pointed out, which wasn't a good sign. But, Valdes-Scantling was outperformed over the summer by rookie fifth-round pick Horton, among others, and his chances of making the 53-man roster as anything but the third receiver seemed slim considering he doesn't play special teams, the story added.

The Steelers will place rookie QB Will Howard, their sixth-round pick, on injured reserve at some point, though not necessarily immediately, per sources

Dynasty managers can take note here. Howard will land on IR sometime before the season starts. He didn't get any time in the preseason thanks to his injury so the Steelers will stash him away and he'll miss the first four games of the season.

Vikings and Panthers have tried to work out a trade for Carolina WR Adam Thielen.

Related players: Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor

Schefter's post said Thielen would like to return to Minnesota, but the two sides continue to struggle to agree on compensation. The Vikings could use help at WR with Addison suspended. Thielen would likely be the team's WR3 when at full strength in a couple of weeks, probably pushing Nailor down the depth chart. In Carolina, Thielen could be considered the team's WR2, but if he departs Legette likely takes that role behind McMillan with Coker moving up to the team's WR3 role. Whatever the hurdles seem to be, one would think this deal gets done at some point.

Vikings have inquired about trading for Panthers WR Adam Thielen, per league sources.

With WR Jordan Addison serving a three-game suspension and Jalen Nailor dealing with a hand injury, Thielen could wind up starting opening night for the Vikings if they can complete the trade.

We're projecting a pretty run-heavy approach for Minnesota this season, so it's hard to imagine Thielen providing a lot of long-term fantasy production. This does help McCarthy's floor as a low-end QB2.

Tory Horton continues to make plays -- and get reps with the No. 1 offense.

Related players: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, Marquez Valdes-Scantling

The rookie WR caught a red zone TD pass from Sam Darnold in the team's first preseason game. Valdes-Scantling was again working a lot with the second team, the post went on to say. Horton has been a name to keep an eye dating back to right after the NFL Draft, thanks to our friend over at DLF. There is a path for Horton to climb up to the team's WR2 if Kupp's struggles and injury issues from last season creep into this season.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba plays everywhere. More importantly, he’s targeted from everywhere.

Related players: Cooper Kupp, Tory Horton, Marquez Valdes-Scantling

The author added that there is a notable distinction between lining up everywhere and getting targeted everywhere - "because sometimes you can line up guys everywhere for the sake of calling your players versatile, but they’re not really a threat to the defense," Dugar said. Smith-Njigba took a massive leap in his second season, finishing as the WR8 after a modest WR46 rookie campaign. JSN seized a featured role in the Seahawks’ passing attack, posting 100 catches for 1,130 yards and six touchdowns. He's 14th among WRs in our rankings.

“[Tory Horton is] making multiple plays every day,” coach Mike Macdonald said after Saturday’s practice.

Enough to make a climb on the team’s depth chart.

In Saturday’s open practice at Lumen Field, Horton typically worked as the starter in three-receiver sets along with veterans Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp and ahead of veteran free agent signee Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

Teammates of Horton have already been impressed and are calling him the "steal of the draft," which is the basis of the story. Our friends at Dynasty League Football have said to target Horton in dynasty league drafts, at least in the middle rounds. As for redraft leagues, he still has some climbing to do on the depth chart to have value in typical leagues, but it's not totally out of the question he could end up passing Kupp, who struggled last year and has been hit with injuries as well. Horton will be someone to keep and eye on in camp and preseason games.

The coaches are very high on [Calvin Austin III]. Tomlin calls his trajectory "really exciting," and people I've talked to with the team noted that he gets open often. Austin just doesn't have the numbers (36 catches, 548 yards, 4 touchdowns) to reflect that ability. The offense will heavily feature DK Metcalf and the tight ends, but Austin will have chances with splash plays.

Related players: DK Metcalf, Robert Woods, Roman Wilson, Jonnu Smith

Austin is being asked to get open on vertical passing plays the story said as the offense is built around taking advantage of matchups. The Steelers WR2 may end up slotting in as the third option at best in this offense, however, with the addition of Smith at TE.

Breaking news, Pittsburgh Steelers release old washed up Cordarrelle Patterson on his day off!!!

Related Players: Jaylen Warren, Kaleb Johnson, Kenneth Gainwell

Yes, this was tweeted out by C-Patt himself, and it is glorious. If we don't see Patterson suit up for another team this season, it has been a truly impressive run by one of the best hybrid players we've ever seen. This clears up a little more room for Warren and Johnson, who will look to battle it out as high-end RB3s this year.