Trade: Steelers' Roman Wilson Named As Top Candidate To Find A New Team

Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan has finally built a respectable wide receiver room. This offseason, he has traded for Michael Pittman Jr., a proven threat in the league, and selected Alabama product Germie Bernard in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Both of these players should fit nicely around DK Metcalf, who struggled in 2025 as the team's only viable wide receiver. The franchise also drafted Kaden Wetjen, who is primarily a returner, but is still a wide receiver on paper. The room could still use some depth, but it finally contains a good foundation to work with. 

One pass-catcher the organization has had for two seasons now is Roman Wilson. Wilson was a third-round pick by the team in 2024, once playing for the National Champion Michigan Wolverines. Unfortunately for Wilson, his rookie season lasted just five snaps, with injuries plaguing his initial campaign. 

With those injuries, Wilson did not get many reps, which led to a lot of distrust from the coaching staff. Things did not get much better for Wilson in year two, when he had just 12 catches for 166 yards and two touchdowns. Wilson would go on to be a healthy scratch for four of the team's final five games, potentially ending his Steelers tenure for good. 

Sports Illustrated's Justin Melo recently wrote an article about potential wide receivers that could be moved. Melo listed Wilson as a trade candidate, mentioning the investments at wide receiver and Wilson's injury history. With a new head coach in Mike McCarthy, there is now no loyalty to Wilson among the coaching staff, making it even easier to move the former Wolverine. 

"The Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receiver corps last season felt like DK Metcalf and friends. Realizing a need for better personnel under new head coach Mike McCarthy, they traded for Michael Pittman Jr. and drafted Germie Bernard," Melo wrote. "Where does that leave 2024 third-round pick Roman Wilson? Injuries have plagued his young career. Wilson missed his entire rookie campaign with a hamstring injury, and spent 2025 as a reserve who recorded 12 receptions. Time is running out."

With Aaron Rodgers likely coming back for his 22nd season, Wilson could be pushed out again. Rodgers and Wilson did not mesh well in 2025, often not being on the same page. He was essentially benched for veterans Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, both of whom were mid-season acquisitions. Now, going into 2026, the team likely won't show much faith in Wilson, potentially making 2025 his last full season as a Steeler. 

Also, with McCarthy's offensive scheme, he has said that he prefers bigger targets. Wilson is just 5'10". He's known as a speedy slot receiver. He runs good routes and seems to have good hands, based on the small sample size. It's still unclear what the problem with Wilson was in 2026, but something is clearly not right. The team could keep him in 2026 in hopes of recouping their investment, but at this point, the best course of action may be to move on. 

Steelers Should Consider Moving On From Wilson

With how little Wilson has been able to produce in his first two seasons, it's highly unlikely he suddenly blossoms in year three. Now with Bernard and Pittman, there aren't many snaps available for Wilson; it may be best to send him to a wide receiver-needy team. His value will be low, but a day three pick could suffice. Especially given the hype on the 2027 draft class, they'll need all the picks they can get. 

Whether it's Wilson's fault for his inactivity or the coaching staff completely misusing him, one thing is for certain: it's time to move on. Let him move on to a new chapter of his career, rather than keeping him on the bench. Hopefully, the Steelers and Wilson can figure this out, whether he stays or leaves. 

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