The NFL preseason is always about discovery. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, this year’s evaluation process carries extra weight.
Coaches aren’t just calling plays — they’re searching for answers, testing depth, and figuring out which players can handle the lights when the games don’t count but the reps mean everything.
After trading away a stud like George Pickens and acquiring superstar DK Metcalf, it was clear the organization needed someone from within to step forward and round out their receiving corps. On Saturday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Roman Wilson may have done just that.
Wilson, a second-year receiver out of Michigan, had himself an exceptional showing. He led the Steelers in production, recording two receptions for 72 yards — numbers that pop not only on the stat sheet but on the film as well.
His outburst was surprising to some, but for those who’ve been tracking his progress since training camp, this was the kind of performance that felt long overdue.
Head coach Mike Tomlin and the rest of the staff have been vocal about Wilson’s talent since the day he arrived. The issue, however, hasn’t been ability — it’s been confidence.
They’ve urged him repeatedly to get out of his own head and trust what he can do. Saturday night, in front of a packed stadium and a team desperate for someone to step up, Wilson finally let it fly.
The Pittsburgh Steelers must continue to check Roman Wilson's temperature this preseason
And the timing couldn’t have been better.
Calvin Austin III, a speed threat who many expected to be a big part of the offense, has been sidelined with an abdominal injury. That left an opening in the rotation, and Wilson grabbed it with both hands. He showed poise, separation ability, and the kind of playmaking instinct that could make him a trusted option once the regular season begins.
Yes, the Steelers lost the game 17-14, but sometimes the final score is the least important story of a preseason contest. What matters is growth — and Roman Wilson showed growth in a way that should excite both the coaching staff and Steelers Nation.
Think about it: after a year of sitting beneath the surface, Wilson has begun to show flashes of being the dependable, versatile weapon the Steelers envisioned when they drafted him.
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He’s hungry, determined, and clearly intent on climbing the depth chart. More importantly, he’s giving quarterback Aaron Rodgers another option to lean on as Pittsburgh works to build chemistry in its revamped offense.
If used the right way, Wilson’s momentum can be more than just a preseason storyline. It can carry over into meaningful snaps and meaningful drives once the games count for real. The Steelers are trying to craft a balanced attack that blends Metcalf’s star power with steady contributions from the supporting cast.
A confident Roman Wilson could be the missing link to make it all click.
The preseason isn’t about wins and losses. It’s about uncovering players who can change the narrative when the season arrives. On Saturday night, Roman Wilson took a big step toward becoming that player for Pittsburgh — and his timing couldn’t have been more perfect.