There are many new faces on the Pittsburgh Steelers this season who have garnered much of the attention during offseason workouts so far, and for good reason. Between the new coaching staff led by head coach Mike McCarthy, a strong free agency haul, and an exciting rookie class, there is plenty for fans to get used to.
Still, there are a few returning players who have a ton to prove this summer, and nobody fits that mold better than wide receiver Roman Wilson. The 2024 third-round pick had his rookie season essentially erased by a preseason injury, and his 2025 season was only marginally better. He accumulated just 12 receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns before being unceremoniously benched down the stretch of the season.
Early reports, however, including this one from The Athletic's Mike DeFabo, suggest that Wilson and quarterback Aaron Rodgers have a much better connection early on than they did a year ago. That's great news for the young receiver, because 2026 may be his final shot at carving out an NFL career.
Roman Wilson could find himself out of the NFL if he can't carve out a role for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2026
Part of what made Wilson's second season so disappointing was his inability to find a role in a poor receiving room. DK Metcalf was the Steelers' best receiver by a mile, and Calvin Austin III was the No. 2 pretty much by default. That left Wilson, Ben Skowronek, and Scotty Miller as the other receivers fighting for playing time to begin last season.
Despite earning the third-most snaps among the receiver group, he was only targeted 21 times in 13 games. Once Pittsburgh added veteran receivers Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling late in the season, they managed to earn a combined 38 targets in just five games each.
It's easy to use the excuse that Rodgers just didn't trust Wilson as much as he did the more experienced pass catchers on the team, but that's actually a big part of why I think 2026 could be a make-or-break season for him. The Steelers are still in win-now mode now that Rodgers has returned for a 22nd and final season, so Wilson will need to earn the four-time MVP's respect if he wants to see the ball come his way this time around.
That's easier said than done, especially now that the talent at receiver has been massively upgraded. Michael Pittman Jr. and 2026 second-round pick Germie Bernard are both expected to play big roles in the offense, potentially leaving Wilson to fight for targets as the fourth receiver. Thanks to a more receiver-centric offense being brought in by McCarthy, however, that doesn't mean he won't get his chances even if that holds true.
Wilson has the talent to be a productive NFL WR; I have no doubts about that. But chances of becoming one will hinge on how his third season in Pittsburgh ultimately shakes out.
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