Steelers' Roman Wilson Sparks Direct Concern After Difficult Practice

The Pittsburgh Steelers made some major decisions this offseason. It started with a blockbuster trade with the Seattle Seahawks to acquire star wide receiver DK Metcalf. Shortly after, the Steelers traded their other top wide receiver, George Pickens, to the Dallas Cowboys, signaling a significant shift in their offensive strategy.

Now, Pittsburgh finally has clarity at the quarterback position after Aaron Rodgers signed with the team. While Rodgers’ arrival brings excitement, there has been concern about the depth behind Metcalf in the receiving corps. Many fans and analysts are expecting a breakout season from Roman Wilson in 2025 to help fill that gap.

However, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly revealed on his podcast Kaboly + Mack on Thursday that Wilson struggled in his most recent practice. Kaboly admitted that this performance gave him some slight concern about Wilson’s readiness heading into the season.

"Roman Wilson dropped about four balls yesterday, and I was like eh," Kaboly said.

The very first thing to understand about Wilson and his recent struggles in practice is that the issue is not as serious as some might think. He reportedly dropped a few footballs during practice, but that is not an uncommon problem. Even the greatest wide receivers have moments like that. For Wilson, it may have only been a few isolated incidents. Still, Kaboly felt it was important to highlight these struggles which shows how closely the team and observers are watching his development.

When the Steelers selected Wilson in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, there were high hopes that he could come in as a rookie and make an immediate impact. Unfortunately, Wilson suffered an injury early in the offseason which limited his ability to fully participate and develop with the team. 

As a result his rookie season was essentially a redshirt year. Now entering his second season Wilson will be looking to make his first real contribution on the field and prove that he can be a valuable asset to the Steelers’ offense.

With the Steelers trading away Pickens Wilson will be expected to step up and take on a much larger role. The Steelers also added veteran wide receiver Robert Woods and has promising young talent in Calvin Austin III who showed a lot of potential in the 2024 season. 

Austin exceeded expectations by recording 36 catches for 548 yards and four touchdowns. If Austin can build on that performance and Wilson makes his mark the Steelers’ wide receiver group may not be as concerning as many pundits suggest. This emerging group could develop into a strong supporting cast for Rodgers as the 2025 season approaches.

Steelers' Omar Khan Still Trying To Improve The Offense

Not everyone believes the Steelers have enough weapons to support Rodgers in the wide receiver room. This has led to speculation that Steelers General Manager Omar Khan is actively searching for a true playmaker to complement Metcalf. So far, the team hasn’t had much luck, but they have been engaged in trade talks with several teams.

There were even reports that the Steelers have been lowballing offers, but that may not be a bad strategy. It can be better for Pittsburgh to offer less while aiming for more value, rather than overpaying for a player who doesn’t fit their needs. Now, the challenge for Khan and the Steelers is to identify who that missing playmaker is and how to bring him to Pittsburgh.

Adding one more key piece to the wide receiver group could make a significant difference, according to many pundits. Strengthening this area would not only improve the offense but also help Rodgers maximize his potential as the team moves toward the 2025 season. All eyes turn to Wilson's development with Rodgers now in the Steel City.

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