Steelers Fans Get The Truth About Aaron Rodgers Not Trusting Roman Wilson

The Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receiver room has been a mess for a few seasons now. The organization believed it finally fixed the problem when it traded for DK Metcalf and invested heavily in him contractually, signaling a clear commitment to making him the centerpiece of the offense. That plan has now blown up at the worst possible time. Metcalf is serving a two-game suspension after an altercation with a Detroit Lions fan, forcing him to miss Week 17 and the Steelers’ Week 18 win-or-go-home showdown against the Baltimore Ravens with the AFC North title on the line.

Without Metcalf, the Steelers were forced to get creative, and the results were ugly. Pittsburgh fell 13–6 to the Cleveland Browns, failing to score a single touchdown in a must-win game. Marquez Valdes-Scantling was targeted nine times and managed just three catches, while Scotty Miller saw seven targets of his own. That means Aaron Rodgers threw the ball 16 times to two receivers who barely factor into the weekly game plan, including players with practice-squad résumés, in the most important stretch of the season. That is a massive problem and a clear indictment of how damaging Metcalf’s actions have been to the Steelers’ season.

The situation has only fueled more frustration among Steelers fans, many of whom have been asking why second-year wide receiver Roman Wilson hasn’t received a bigger opportunity, especially with Metcalf suspended. On Tuesday, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly addressed the issue on 93.7 The Fan, saying it makes little sense unless Rodgers has told Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith that he simply doesn’t trust the young wideout. 

"It's to that point where you just scratch your head," Kaboly said Monday while speaking on 93.7 The Fan's Morning Show. "Not only did [Tomlin] pump his tires up on Tuesday, but then he came out and told [Bob] Labriola basically he had a good week of practice and respected him during his Sunday little conversation. Only thing I can think of, and this is pure speculation, is the quarterback doesn't like him. Not like him [but] doesn't trust him."

If that’s true, it raises even more questions about the Steelers’ long-term vision at receiver and whether this room is any closer to being fixed than it was before Metcalf ever arrived.

Adding more weight to the concern, another Steelers insider echoed Kaboly’s sentiment on Tuesday. Ray Fittipaldo backed up that line of thinking during his chat for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reinforcing the idea that Wilson’s lack of usage likely comes down to trust or a lack thereof from Rodgers and the coaching staff. 

"I don't think the quarterback trusts him," Fittipaldo said in response to why Roman Wilson isn't getting more chances.

If that is truly the case, it paints a troubling picture for both Wilson’s future in Pittsburgh and the Steelers’ broader plan to stabilize a wide receiver room that continues to come up short when it matters most.

Steelers Patience Running Thin With WR Roman Wilson

There was plenty of excitement and optimism surrounding the Steelers’ decision to draft Wilson in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Many believed he could quickly become a meaningful piece of the offense or at least develop into a reliable complementary weapon.

Instead, Wilson’s rookie season came and went with him barely seeing the field or even making the gameday roster on a consistent basis. That trend has continued into the 2025 season, aside from a few brief moments, which has only deepened the confusion around his role.

Would you call Roman Wilson a bust at this point? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me. I will respond!

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