An Internal Struggle Likely Plagued A Steelers Player In 2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a ton of headlines surrounding the team over the last several years. There have been plenty of stories about the quarterback situation, potentially acquiring new wide receivers, and the coaching change once Mike Tomlin decided to step down following the 2025 season. There has also been some mystery revolving around third-year wide receiver Roman Wilson. He didn't play much due to a pair of injuries during his rookie season in 2024, and in 2025 he was apparently benched in the second half of the season as he became a consistent healthy scratch.

There was a good amount of hype surrounding Wilson heading into his second season with the team in 2025. Even quarterback Aaron Rodgers was speaking highly of him during training camp. Early in the year, he saw a minimal role, but it was just good to see him on the field at all after nearly missing his entire rookie year. He caught some balls and produced a little bit, but eventually the franchise signed some veteran wide receivers while benching Wilson. There has been plenty of speculation surrounding this, with most fans assuming it had something to do with Wilson not being on the same page as Rodgers.

There has been no confirmation on what happened with Wilson in 2025, but he is back trying to win the No. 3 wide receiver job over Germie Bernard. Beat writer Nick Farabaugh went on 93.7 The Fan on Tuesday afternoon, and he stated there had to be some sort of internal struggle involving Wilson.

"I know the Roman Wilson stuff continues to be talked about," Farabaugh said. "It's clear to me something was amiss with Roman Wilson last year. Relative to the play, he was getting separation, then he magically gets benched for [Marquez Valdes-Scantling] and the husk of Adam Thielen. Something was wrong there internally no matter what they're going to tell you. I have questions about that room."

This topic came about when Farabaugh was asked whether or not the Steelers might look into signing another veteran wide receiver that might still be on the market. He spoke about DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. being reliable options at the top of the room, but the team needs to make sure it is comfortable with Bernard and Wilson playing a meaningful role.

Farabaugh did not mention Rodgers at all when talking about how something went wrong with Wilson in Pittsburgh in 2025. There could have been something going on with the former coaching staff, but there is no telling. Wilson did not have a particularly productive season going, but he was the only wide receiver on the roster that could consistently get separation, so his benching was bizarre. The Steelers desperately needed wide receivers that could get open, and Wilson could do that, yet he was benched.

Steelers Will Need To See Roman Wilson Prove Himself

Luckily for Wilson, he gets some sort of a fresh start with a new coaching staff taking over. He will also continue to work on his relationship with Rodgers, which hopefully improves. As of right now, it seems like he holds the third wide receiver spot over Bernard, but that battle could go until the end of training camp. If he carries that positioning into the season, it doesn't mean he will hold it until the end of the season. Bernard has been highly praised throughout offseason activities, and the battle may come down to play during the preseason games.

Wilson's problems in 2025 could have come from his relationship with Rodgers, or he could have gotten on the bad side of Tomlin and the rest of the coaching staff. Either way, hopefully he can turn his career around in 2026.

What do you think of Farabaugh's comments on Wilson? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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