The Pittsburgh Steelers have struggled to be consistent in the passing game over the last few seasons, and a lot of that has to do with a lack of weapons at wide receiver. The Steelers have typically had just one guy in the room that the defense could take away by doubling, and then things would get hard when it came to moving the ball through the air. That should not be the case in 2026 as Pittsburgh has the best-looking wide receiver room that it has had in years, but it is still going to come down to the players to execute. The depth can also still be questioned, but things are looking much better at wideout in 2026.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers new Head Coach Mike McCarthy works with quarterback Aaron Rodgers during Organized Team Activities.
DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. lead the way in the wide receiver room for Pittsburgh. Pittman was an underrated addition during the offseason as Pittsburgh was able to acquire him in a salary dump move by the Indianapolis Colts. The player that really moves the needle in that room is rookie wide receiver Germie Bernard, who the organization traded up for in the second round. He will be competing with Roman Wilson for that third wide receiver spot, and Wilson has been highly praised so far throughout Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamp.
Beat writer Ray Fittipaldo joined 93.7 The Fan on Friday morning to discuss the Steelers, and he was asked about players that have shown out before. He mentioned Wilson, but pleaded that everyone remain calm until the young wideout is able to perform when it matters.
"Yeah, he had a good camp last year Joe, it just didn't translate," Fittipaldo said. "So I think people like me are saying, 'Man, he looks good. But he looked good last year too.' He's got to do it when it counts. You know, practicing well is great, but performing in games and being on the same page with the quarterback all the time, not just some of the time, that's the really important thing for a receiver. Obviously, when you play for a guy like Aaron Rodgers who is as detailed as he is."
Reports were coming out throughout the start of mandatory minicamp discussing how good Wilson looked, and he has looked great so far. However, Fittipaldo has seen him look great before. He is not going to get his hopes up until the young wide receiver can do great things at the position when it matters.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Roman Wilson runs with the ball during Organized Team Activities (OTAs) in 2026.
Wilson missed nearly his entire rookie season back in 2024 due to injury, and it was considered a sort of "redshirt" year. He was healthy in 2025, but his role in the offense decreased as the year went on and eventually he was a consistent healthy scratch. There was a ton of speculation that this was because he could not consistently be on the same page as Aaron Rodgers, who has a reputation for being very demanding of his receivers. He is detail-oriented, and if he feels he cannot trust a wide receiver, that receiver will not be on the field.
The young wide receiver is at least getting a fresh start with a new coaching staff, but he will have to work to get on Rodgers' good side. The two have shown a strong connection throughout the start of minicamp, which is a good sign for the 2026 season. However, proceed with caution as Wilson has looked good during practices in the past.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' wide receiver Roman Wilson catches a pass during a regular season game against the Packers in the 2025 season.
Steelers' Roman Wilson Showed Some Promise In 2025
Wilson showed some great signs earlier in the 2025 season before he was essentially phased out of the offense. He was targeted by Rodgers early in a game against the Green Bay Packers and he hauled in the deep ball, and he was also used a good amount against the Los Angeles Chargers. A good amount of his production came in garbage time of games, but he did show some flashes.
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