Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Encouraged After Young Wide Receiver's Week 8 Performance

The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off a painful loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football, losing 35-25 in a game that appeared competitive initially, but became a disaster for the Steelers in the second half after the team as a whole collapsed. It got so bad by the second half that Packers quarterback Jordan Love was able to determine exactly what kind of defensive schemes the Steelers were running, and was able to pick them apart easily each time he stepped onto the field. Most look to this loss as a continuation of the Steelers' poor performances on defense, but through all of this, there were bright spots to take away from the loss.

One of these bright spots comes in the comments recently made by Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in a session with the media after practice. Rodgers spoke of current second-year wide receiver Roman Wilson regarding his performance in practice prior to the game against the Packers, along with his performance in this week's practice. Rodgers was encouraged after Wilson's improvement showed against the Packers, where he went for 74 yards on four receptions and one touchdown, leading to a breakout game for Wilson and giving hope to the Steelers fans who still believe in him.

The fact that Rodgers is encouraged by how Wilson has performed recently is a major sign of Wilson's upward trend not being a fluke. Wilson was drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft at 84th overall, so the hopes were high that Wilson could become another mid-round receiver that the Steelers turned into an all-time great. The start of Wilson's NFL career hasn't been up to that standard just yet, but with how he continues to improve in practice, and having Rodgers throwing him the ball, will only further serve to aid Wilson's breakout season.

Wilson's improvement will not be the only thing people watch as it pertains to the Steelers. With how active the Steelers have been with regards to pursuing a trade for a wide receiver before the NFL trade deadline on November 4th, and with certain names already being linked to the Steelers in terms of trade candidates, it raises the question of how much Wilson's surge will impact the team's pursuit of a wide receiver. However, the outlook would only be a positive one, especially with the potential addition of another receiver.

Steelers' Offense Can Only Get Better With Wilson's Uptick In Performance

The Steelers would benefit from trading for a wide receiver, but the trade itself would only add to what could become a very potent Steelers passing game. With Wilson only getting better, rounding into the receiver that many believed he would be, the potential for the Steelers to add another receiver would only allow Wilson's performance to continue flourishing. Other teams would be focused on current receiver DK Metcalf and whoever the new addition would be, leaving receivers such as Wilson completely out of the picture to opposing defenses.

This would allow for Rodgers to target Wilson more often on shorter routes toward the end zone, leading to more plays that were seen against the Packers where Wilson caught his first career NFL touchdown late in the fourth quarter. The only trajectory the offense can go is up, especially with how Wilson has begun to look as of late, and Rodgers sees it in his young receiver.

What did you think about Rodgers' comments on Wilson's development? Let us know in the comments or on X at @SteelersSwamp7.

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