Is Roman Wilson Taking Over Steelers’ WR2 Position?

Is Roman Wilson taking on the Steelers’ WR2 position?

Whereas second-year WR Roman Wilson is making performs for the Steelers, Calvin Austin III is sidelined with a notable harm. He hasn’t practiced in weeks, and has missed the primary two preseason video games. Though HC Mike Tomlin recommended he expects Austin to “perk up” quickly, he’s dropping floor, a technique or one other.

However how a lot floor may he lose to Roman Wilson, who performed 5 snaps as a rookie? It’s not as if Wilson lit up all the offseason, even when he has come on robust in latest weeks. His play has been at its finest within the preseason video games, however essentially the most seen element of the work may instill a misrepresentative bias into the analysis.

The Steelers haven’t performed Roman Wilson too a lot, however on the identical time, he additionally has solely 4 catches. It’s not like he has 250 receiving yards and a pair touchdowns—he’s nonetheless in search of his first rating.

On the identical time, Wilson isn’t battling the All-Professional group—and even the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Certain, on the opposite facet of the Steelers’ latest joint apply, he is likely to be an afterthought amid Mike Evans, Emeka Egbuka, and Jalen McMillan—amongst others.

However on the Steelers, Wilson’s solely competitors is, actually, Calvin Austin and no matter is ailing him. And each of them are equally new to Aaron Rodgers this offseason, so that could be a push. Though Rodgers and Wilson have had some communication points, the veteran quarterback has additionally sung his praises. All he needs from Wilson is for the younger receivers to belief in his personal talents extra.

Getting into the common season, it’s not even clear how important the WR2 will probably be within the Steelers’ offense. Keep in mind, we haven’t even seen Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith take the sphere but. We’re going to see much more multiple-tight-end units than the preseason may recommend. And there’ll even be units with only one vast receiver on the sphere. Even once they have two, they’ll doubtless combine and match. However what number of snaps will Roman Wilson see, and what number of Calvin Austin? Is that this a scenario by which all you are able to do is journey the new hand? Even so, who’s hand is hottest—is it Wilson’s by default?

The Steelers are rebuilding, or reloading, no matter they really feel the necessity to name it, after one other disappointment final season. Although they limped into the playoffs, they as soon as once more embarrassed themselves therein.

Identical to final 12 months, the most important query hanging over the Steelers is the quarterback query. Whereas they made numerous strikes, they should put the items collectively. The 2025 NFL Draft class may play an enormous position, however veteran additions will probably be paramount.

However we nonetheless have an extended coaching camp forward for Steelers soccer. We survived the Aaron Rodgers scenario and moved on to different issues–different dramas generally. Now it’s about evaluating the roster in place and filling holes as we go.