It’s been an exciting start to training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe. Head coach Mike Tomlin and his staff are all smiles as they watch their Pittsburgh Steelers fly around the field. There’s energy and promise. But for one sophomore wide receiver, the spark is still waiting to catch fire.
Roman Wilson, the former Michigan standout, finds himself at a crossroads.
After missing much of his rookie season due to a tough ankle injury, Wilson’s return to the field was supposed to be a moment of resurgence. Instead, the early days of camp have shown a player struggling to regain his rhythm, according to Steelers insider Alex Kozora. In an offense starving for playmakers, that’s a tough look.
This isn’t to say the talent isn’t there.
We saw flashes of it in Ann Arbor — quick bursts off the line, clean route-running, and reliable hands. Wilson finished his college career with 1,707 receiving yards and 20 touchdown receptions. But flashes aren’t enough anymore.
The Steelers don’t just need potential. They need production.
The Pittsburgh Steelers do not have many options on the roster outside of Roman Wilson
GM Omar Khan’s move to bring in Jonnu Smith from the Dolphins added some versatility to the offense, but let’s be honest: Smith is not the answer in the slot. He can block, he can move, but expecting him to fill the role of a consistent inside receiver would be asking too much.
That’s where Wilson comes in — or at least, should.
Without a breakout camp, Wilson’s place on the depth chart could stay firmly in the shadows. And the fallout of that goes beyond just his development. Arthur Smith’s offense, built on balance and tempo, hinges on having reliable options across the field.
DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III are shaping up to be a dangerous one-two punch on the outside, but without someone commanding attention from the slot, defenses will key in fast.
There’s still time, of course. Training camp is a marathon, not a sprint. But Wilson needs to start making some noise — soon. He’s got the skill set. He’s got the opportunity. What he needs now is urgency.
For Roman Wilson, this isn't just about cracking the rotation. It's about reclaiming a career that’s only just begun. If he finds that extra gear, he could be the missing piece the Steelers need. If not, both he and the offense could be in for a long season.