In Week 17, we witnessed one of the most pitiful performances from a Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver group in recent memory. The collection of Adam Thielen, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Scotty Miller combined to earn 21 targets from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but turned their opportunities into just eight catches for 60 receiving yards.
This 2.8 yards per target when targeting wide receivers is as poor a number as you'll see from any team around the league on any given week. DK Metcalf's absence played a major factor, as the team's number one receiver was suspended two games for getting into an altercation with a Lions fan.
The Steelers had a clear problem: Thielen, Valdes-Scantling, and Miller—who combine for an average age of 31.6 years old—weren't getting the job done. They couldn't create separation at the top of their routes, and they struggled to come down with contested catches. Rodgers earned a dismal 46.3 passer rating when targeting the trio of washed-up veterans.
What's most disheartening is that there is a young, hungry receiver on the roster that Mike Tomlin refuses to call on amid the struggles in the passing game.
The Pittsburgh Steelers refuse to deploy WR Roman Wilson
As Thielen, Valdes-Scantling, and Miller combined to earn 122 snaps in the passing game in the Steelers' Week 17 loss against the Cleveland Browns, Roman Wilson was in on just two snaps on passing downs (nine total on offense).
This is utterly inexcusable.
Pittsburgh's 2024 third-round pick flashed at times in the first half of the season before being sent to the bench. As Rodgers and Tomlin opted for old has-been veterans—guys who could be in the right place at the right time—the Steelers jeopardized all speed, quickness, and ability to get open by demoting Wilson.
This isn't to say that Wilson would have been the answer to all of their problems; he wouldn't have been. However, the young receiver has never had the chance to be a focal point on offense this season.
Quite frankly, the Steelers' numbers are better all around when targeting Wilson compared to the lackluster combination of Miller, Thielen, and Valdes-Scantling. These three receivers have combined to earn 20 receptions on 37 targets in Pittsburgh this year (54.0 percent catch rate) for 173 receiving yards (4.6 yards per target), and one touchdown.
This includes just 58 total yards after the catch and a combined 75.6 passer rating when targeted. Meanwhile, Miller, Thielen, and MVS have combined for 429 offensive snaps.
On the other hand, Wilson alone (253 offensive snaps in 2025) has caught 12 of 21 passes for 166 yards (7.9 yards per target) with 66 yards after the catch and two touchdowns. This equates to 5.5 yards after the catch per reception (compared to 2.9) and a passer rating of 114.4 when targeted.
For whatever reason, Wilson seems to be in Mike Tomlin's doghouse, and even a suspension to DK Metcalf and an injury to Calvin Austin III weren't enough to help him see the field in Week 17.
With the Pittsburgh Steelers' struggles in the passing game, it's become impossible to defend Tomlin's decision to ignore Roman Wilson.