Insider: Steelers Need Roman Wilson To Prove He Belongs Quickly: "He Has Not Done Anything"

The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for a very interesting 2025 season. With all sorts of new faces, there is a lot of pressure on this Steelers team to gel together quickly. One group that has caught attention again is the wide receiver room. The Steelers brought in DK Metcalf via trade, but a few months later, they moved on from George Pickens. Now, players like Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson are expected to step into bigger roles behind Metcalf.

While Austin has flashed some potential in training camp and in the 2024 season, the spotlight is firmly on Wilson. Steelers insider Gerry Dulac was asked about Wilson’s progress in his latest Pittsburgh Post-Gazette post and his response was less than encouraging. Dulac said Wilson has not done anything to stand out in the first week of camp, even without pads, and added that it would take something dramatic and unexpected for him to become the team’s WR2.

Dulac made it clear that while he still believes in Wilson’s upside, time is already becoming a factor. Even in early camp sessions, players need to find a way to separate themselves, and Wilson has yet to do that. With expectations rising and roster decisions looming, the Steelers need to see something from Wilson quickly. If they intend to get reliable production from him in 2025.

"He will not be WR2 unless something dramatic and completely unexpected happens," Dulac said. "I'll say this, even without pads, he has not done anything to stand out after one week at camp. I like the guy, but at some point, even in shorts, you have to stand out. Maybe he will soon."

The Steelers got more than they expected out of Austin in the 2024 season. Meanwhile, Wilson, a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, was selected with hopes that he could step in and contribute right away. However, injuries slowed his progress early on, and Head Coach Mike Tomlin later admitted that Wilson wasn’t able to get on the moving train. In many ways, it turned into a redshirt year for the rookie wide receiver.

It was undoubtedly a disappointing start for Wilson, who had high expectations entering the league. However, now in his second season, the good news is that he will have plenty of opportunities to prove his value. If anything, the time off may have given him a chance to learn the speed and complexity of the NFL while working on areas of his game that needed development. He enters 2025 with a fresh slate and a clearer understanding of what it takes to succeed at the next level.

This season could be a turning point for Wilson. He will be catching passes from Aaron Rodgers, and excitement is sky-high around this new-look Steelers team. If Wilson can find consistency and become a reliable chain-mover in Arthur Smith’s offense, it would be a huge boost to Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes. The Steelers drafted him believing he could be the ideal fit for their system. Now it’s on Smith to find a way to get Wilson involved and unlock his potential.

Steelers Have Faith In Roman Wilson

Wilson’s development could also be critical given the current state of the Steelers' wide receiver room. With Metcalf commanding top coverage and Austin expected to stretch the field with his speed, the door is wide open for Wilson to carve out a role underneath and in the slot. His route-running, toughness, and football IQ were all strengths coming out of Michigan, and those traits could finally show up on Sundays in 2025.

There is also an element of urgency. Pittsburgh has playoff expectations, and while Rodgers brings experience and leadership to the offense, he will need trustworthy targets beyond Metcalf. Wilson does not need to be a star, but he does need to be dependable. If he can consistently get open and make the most of his targets, the Steelers offense will be in a much better place.

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