The Pittsburgh Steelers have an important training camp approaching as it is the first time that the team will be in Latrobe under new head coach Mike McCarthy. It is also an important training camp when it comes to the future of the team, even past the 2026 season. There are going to be position battles that take place that will shape the roster for years to come. The most notable one will occur in the quarterback room behind Aaron Rodgers, while others will happen on the offensive line and at wide receiver.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers' new head coach Mike McCarthy works with quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the 2026 offseason.
A notable position battle to keep an eye on throughout camp is going to be the competition for the third wide receiver spot behind DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. The wide receiver room is already better than it was at this time in 2025, but now fans will see how it shapes up with Roman Wilson battling Germie Bernard for that third spot on the depth chart. The third-year pro will try to hold off the rookie, but there is a chance that the organization could go out and look into the free agent market. Some interesting veteran names are available that could be good additions.
Beat writer Chris Carter joined 93.7 The Fan on Friday morning and he was asked about the chances that the Steelers would look into a veteran addition.
"I don't think they'll be as pressed to do so," Carter said. "I think right now, they are fine. I think the only way they do is if Bernard and Roman Wilson are just not working out. And Aaron Rodgers thinks they need a third guy, but with Michael Pittman and Metcalf, they are in a position where last year, his second option was Calvin Austin. They needed to get veterans. I just don't think that this unit needs that just yet. I think they want to see this group. I don't see a move happening before training camp."
Carter essentially believes that the coaching staff wants to see what both Wilson and Bernard can do with Rodgers and within the new offense. If they are each impressing and the battle is tight for that third wide receiver spot, there is no need to look into a veteran addition. That is especially true with guys like Kaden Wetjen, Eli Heidenreich, and Ben Skowronek filling out the rest of the room.
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Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson sets up as he prepares to go through a play while the team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
It is common knowledge that Rodgers is very demanding of his wide receivers. He is detail-oriented, and he needs to be able to trust all of the players he is throwing to. He and Wilson struggled to build chemistry in 2025 which led to the young wide receiver being a consistent healthy scratch near the end of the season. That connection needs to be improved, and Rodgers and Bernard also need to get out on the right foot.
Fans in Pittsburgh should not be rooting for another addition at wide receiver. It is important to see both Wilson and Bernard flourish, and bringing in another veteran would just take snaps away from each of those players.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Germie Bernard catches a pass during Organized Team Activities (OTAs) in 2026.
Steelers Rookie Could Be An Immediate Contributor
Wilson is going to be the third wide receiver entering training camp, but Bernard can absolutely surpass him. If Wilson's relationship with the quarterback is strained once again, Bernard could be in a spot where he will be expected to contribute immediately in 2026. He has already received a ton of praise from his teammates and the coaching staff, and many have said that he is ahead of schedule in terms of his development. There is a reason the Steelers traded up for him in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and that could be on full display in Latrobe.
What do you think about the Steelers potentially adding another wide receiver? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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