The Pittsburgh Steelers selected wide receiver Roman Wilson out of Michigan in the third round, 84th overall, in the 2024 NFL Draft. Despite this relatively significant investment, the wideout’s career has yet to really get off the ground. Wilson suffered ankle and hamstring injuries that derailed his entire rookie campaign, but still came into 2025 with optimism that his development was headed in the right direction.
After a strong training camp and preseason, Wilson still struggled to find consistent
playing time and only recorded 12 catches in his second season. Now entering his third year, this could be Wilson’s last chance to prove himself to the organization that drafted him that he is a starting-caliber NFL wide receiver.
The Athletic listed of players — one from each NFL team — with the most on the line in 2026. Steelers beat writer Mike DeFabo chose Wilson to represent Pittsburgh.
“The Steelers had hoped Roman Wilson would take a leap in Year 2 to be part of the answer at WR2. However, his connection with Aaron Rodgers was inconsistent, and by the end of 2025, the former Michigan receiver slid down the depth chart, leapfrogged by late-season additions Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen. Wilson ended 2025 as a healthy scratch in four of the final five games,” Mike DeFabo wrote. “He’s been working hard this offseason to fine-tune his route running and enters a pivotal third season with a prime opportunity. As the Steelers transition from Arthur Smith’s tight end-centric offense to Mike McCarthy’s scheme, the usage of 11 personnel will skyrocket and could turn the WR3 into a starter rather than a rotational piece.”
DeFabo is absolutely right in his assessment that McCarthy’s offensive system, which tends to feature more receivers, will undoubtedly give Wilson his best opportunity to shine. However, it won’t be an easy road for Wilson to become established in that offense. Pittsburgh made a point to aggressively upgrade their wide receiver room this offseason with the additions of Michael Pittman Jr. and Germie Bernard.
Wilson could very well enter training camp as the third wide receiver ahead of Bernard, but holding onto that spot will be a challenge. Earning the trust of an entirely new coaching staff and continuing to develop a more consistent connection with Aaron Rodgers will all be things on Wilson’s plate throughout training camp. 2026 will undoubtedly be the most important of the former Michigan wide receiver’s career.
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