The Pittsburgh Steelers’ search for a true WR2 hasn’t exactly produced favorable results. Through four games, Calvin Austin III is second on the team in targets, five less than DK Metcalf, but he’s also fifth on the team in receptions.
For the most part, Austin has the job locked down. But his lack of consistent production still draws attention, leaving many Steelers fans to ponder two questions: Why not trade for a WR2 before the deadline, or give Roman Wilson a real shot?
Wilson, a second-year wideout getting his first real taste of the NFL, only has two targets and one reception for seven yards. He’s played just 44 total offensive snaps so far this season, just 20% of the plays the Steelers' offense has run.
Limited snaps leave Pittsburgh Steelers fans questioning Roman Wilson’s role
Based on his limited usage, it’d be fair for any Steelers fan to question if Wilson is in somebody’s dog house, but wide receiver coach Zach Assanni shut down that thought earlier this week.
“There’s no ‘Roman’s in the dog house’ or anything like that. Roman’s doing just fine,” Azzanni said on Tuesday.
To be fair, Wilson is still third among wide receivers for targets. The wide gap between Austin and Wilson for targets is filled with other skill players, taking some of the urgency off the position overall.
“We just happen to be pretty good at tight end and wideout and what we’re doing, running the ball,” Azzanni said. “But Roman, he’s in the mix just like all the other guys. Obviously, his role will keep elevating as the season goes on, for sure.”
The Steelers are good at tight end, even if the rest of Azzani’s statement is left up to debate concerning the talent at wide receiver and the effectiveness of the running game. Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth each have 10+ targets through four weeks, and Darnell Washington is up to four.
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Throughout training camp, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and quarterback Aaron Rodgers praised the tight end group for what they bring to the offense, so it’s no surprise that the offense is leaning on its strength at the position. But that does limit the opportunities of a promising young player like Wilson.
Wilson looked great in the preseason and seemed to have really closed the gap on Austin while he was out with an injury. It’s good that Wilson isn’t in the proverbial dog house. But based on his first real training camp, Steelers fans had plenty of reason to expect more out of him during the regular season, especially if Austin didn’t run away with the job.
Despite the offense showing spurts of consistency, especially when Rodgers has time to operate, it’s no less disappointing that the passing game feels limited without someone to take some pressure off Metcalf. Even his dominant first half against Minnesota evaporated as the Vikings put more attention on him. No one truly stepped up on the other side of that, leading to the stagnant offense that afforded Minnesota the chance to come back late in the game.
Steelers fans will just have to take Azzanni at his word concerning Wilson for now and hope that his progression is coming along at a rate where he’ll eventually be able to contribute more often. Until then, the passing game will rely on the talents of Metcalf and the tight ends