The Pittsburgh Steelers need all the help they can get on the offensive side of the ball. Their most recent performance was atrocious, as they got thoroughly outcoached and outplayed all game long. Part of that was just Pittsburgh being unable to make connections and quarterback Aaron Rodgers having an off day. That can't happen again if the team wants to hold on to this once-large division lead that has slimmed down to just a single game, especially with a key divisional matchup coming up next.
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Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers throws the football during an away game against the Bengals in the 2025 NFL season.
At the very least, it seems like some progress is made. During a press conference, Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith explained how one young player is finally taking strides and could see an increased role here shortly.
Arthur Smith on Roman Wilson: "He's slowly but surely is starting to make more plays... It's an ongoing process. He's starting to show signs of his role increasing."
— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) November 13, 2025
Everyone inside and outside the building has been very antsy when it comes to seeing how wide receiver Roman Wilson has, and would develop in 2025. Of course, he practically missed all of his rookie campaign, and that combined with a quarterback that is notorious for being harsh and very particular about the way he does things, a microscope would be placed on the former third-round pick.
Wilson has had some good moments, but there have also been a lot of problematic ones. In the first four weeks of the season, he only had one reception total. Even when he has been on the field more often, there has only been one game where he had more than two catches in a single contest, and that was followed up with his only touch being a fumble late in the game during Week 9.
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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson (10) leaps over two Bengals defensive players with the football during a game in the 2025 season.
It seems that both the coaches and the quarterback have had little trust in Wilson throughout the season. Both of his touchdowns have been in garbage time of big losses. With all of that, plus Smith's comments taken into account, the Steelers are put in an interesting situation. He's starting to show signs of an increased role, but he hasn't actually earned it yet.
Wilson was expected to see a lot of reps at WR2 while Calvin Austin III missed time due to injury. Instead, it felt like nobody really took control of that position. When he has been healthy, the former fourth-round pick has made it very clear that that's his role, and nobody has come up to challenge it. If Wilson is starting to show signs, when will he get that increased role?
Steelers' 2026 Season Will Be Key For Wilson
At this point, it's safe to say that Wilson won't take over as starting wide receiver at any point in the 2025 season. However, he will have to prove himself immediately in 2026. Austin will be a free agent at season's end, and there is no confirmation on if he will be brought back or not. If not, the door will be open for the third-rounder to step in and show what he can really do.
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Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson (10) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
There will be a microscope placed on Wilson starting in Organized Team Activities (OTAs), whether or not another wide receiver is acquired via free agency, trade, or the draft. Showing signs will no longer be good enough. Everyone has seen flashes of what he can do, but he has to put it all together and grow into the guy that he was drafted to be. This ongoing process has to start showing results sooner rather than later.
What do you think about Smith's update on Wilson? Do you think he can develop into a starting caliber wide receiver at this point? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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