After an underwhelming preseason game against the New York Jets last week, many Pittsburgh Steelers fans assumed that Roman Wilson would be forced to prove himself in the preseason finale. After all, we're talking about a wideout who has earned just 12 receptions on 21 targets in his first two NFL seasons.
So you can imagine how fans reacted when Wilson was spotted in street clothes on the sidelines against the Buffalo Bills in the preseason finale.
While some thought this may have been because the Steelers are looking to trade Wilson before the NFL roster deadline, there's a simpler explanation: head coach Mike McCarthy is treating him like one of the starters.
We can argue whether this is warranted, but there's little question this is the case. Wilson had a strong training camp before an unspectacular preseason. And while fans would have liked to see one more exhibition showing from the unproven receiver, it was the coach's decision to make Wilson a healthy scratch.
The Pittsburgh Steelers clearly put Roman Wilson on the same level as the other full-time starters
One thing you probably noticed during the Steelers' preseason finale against the Bills is that there weren't any true starters playing—that goes for both sides of the football. Pittsburgh rested its entire projected starting offensive line in addition to its top two tight ends, top two running backs, and top two receivers.
Defensively, the most notable players on the field were veteran linebackers Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts and edge rusher Jack Sawyer. Every starter watched from the sideline.
And, interestingly, Wilson just got the starter treatment.
This comes after recording a mere three catches for 23 yards on six targets in his first two preseason games combined. However, it's clear that McCarthy wasn't worried about those pedestrian numbers—he wanted to make a statement to Wilson.
Roman Wilson didn't earn his starter status, but Mike McCarthy found value in granting it
McCarthy was going to send a message to Wilson one way or another. As the projected starting slot receiver to begin the season, if he suited up when all the other starters got to take the night off, what would that do to his confidence and morale?
In McCarthy's mind, we can assume that it was the better choice to treat Wilson like a starter than to risk destroying his confidence and disgruntling the young wide receiver ahead of the season opener.
Nobody is questioning that Wilson still has everything to prove. As a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Wilson hasn't come close to living up to his billing. Still, I understand McCarthy's assumed rationale behind sitting Wilson with the starters.
Wilson missed out on what most fans would deem as valuable preseason reps. But let's hope the trade-off leads to a refreshed mindset and rejuvenated confidence heading into the season, because Mike McCarthy treated him like a true starter.
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