Steelers' Promising Young Wide Receiver Gets Big Stamp Of Approval From Super Bowl Winning Coach

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been under a lot of scrutiny for their handling of the wide receiver position. In 2024, the team never successfully found a player to fill the role of outside receiver opposite George Pickens. In March of 2025, that problem was seemingly solved when they added two-time Pro Bowl receiver DK Metcalf to the room. However, shortly after, Pittsburgh traded Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys, leaving many wondering what the plan was. From the outside, it may appear that the team is exactly where it was one year ago - with no valid second outside wide receiver to take heat off of Metcalf.  

If the Steelers truly aren't interested in bringing in outside help, it signals that they have a strong belief in second-year receiver Roman Wilson, and they aren't the only ones. Former Super Bowl-winning head coach and current NFL analyst Jon Gruden, in his division recap videos ahead of the NFL season, had strong praise for Wilson.

"You're going to see Calvin Austin, DK Metcalf, and I think you're going to see a lot of Roman Wilson," Gruden said. "He is a hell of a player.... Everybody right now is saying, 'Hey, the Steelers don't have any wideouts, man.' Wait until you see Roman Wilson."

Wilson isn't the only Steelers player that Gruden has had high praise for. In April, he did an episode of the Barstool Series 'QB School' with quarterback Will Howard. After the Steelers drafted him, Gruden believed that the team got 'a steal'. 

While Howard didn't get the chance to perform in the 2025 preseason due to a hand injury, Wilson did, and for the most part, he impressed.

Steelers' Roman Wilson Shined In 2025 Preseason

It's no secret that Wilson had a quiet rookie season in the NFL. A hamstring injury kept him out of the entire 2024 preseason, and he was never able to jump on the 'moving train' for the rest of the season.

He logged just 5 regular season snaps, and no receptions. In 2025 training camp, he showed more promise, as well as an intriguing connection with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. In the team's second preseason game, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Wilson shined. With only around a quarter of playtime, Wilson logged two receptions for 72 yards, which including a deep ball from quarterback Mason Rudolph. 

Wilson finished the game as the team's leading receiver. He was also one of the highest-graded players on the Steelers, according to Pro Football Focus, an outlet that gave him a respectable 76.4 grade. While Wilson didn't get any playtime with Rodgers in the preseason games, there's a hope that he can carry the momentum into the regular season. 

Gruden isn't the only one who has suggested that the Steelers don't need another receiver. ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler also stated that Pittsburgh is highly confident in Wilson, and it's part of the reason they're content with their group. 

Roman profiled as an elite separator with blazing speed coming out of Michigan, and hopes he can carry that with him into his second NFL season, which will be a big one for both him and the team. If the Steelers are right, and Wilson is as advertised, then they'll be looking a true chance to contend in the AFC, with no real holes in the offense. If not, they could be looking at another year where the offense struggles, and they're headed home in January.

What do you think of wide receiver Wilson? Let us know in the comments below!

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