NFL insider offers hope for Roman Wilson amid Steelers wide receiver uncertainty

The 2025 campaign could be a make-or-break one for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, Roman Wilson.

A 2024 third-round pick of the Steelers, Wilson struggled with injury in his first year, and Pittsburgh clearly lacked confidence in him when he was right, as evidenced by his playing just five snaps despite Pittsburgh's massive need at wide receiver.

Now, the Steelers are back in the same boat at the position after trading away George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday, which makes Wilson even more important as a potential option behind DK Metcalf.

Despite an incredibly disappointing first season, there is hope for Wilson yet.

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the team is "counting on" Wilson to take a leap in his second season whiel also noting that he "looks like a different player" from 2024.

"(Steelers) counting on Roman Wilson Year 2 jump. This offseason he looks like a different player than from his injury riddled rookie campaign," Fowler wrote on X.

In the wake of the Pickens trade, the Steelers are almost certainly going to add a veteran wide receiver, so it's not like Pittsburgh is going to need him as a No. 2 option, although ascending to that role would obviously be ideal.

First things first, Wilson is going to have to beat out Calvin Austin for the job as the No. 3 wide receiver, which isn't guaranteed given the uncertainty with Wilson, and with Austin coming off a career year.

That said, the opportunity for Wilson to have a big role in the offense is right there for him, all he has to do is take it. Based on Fowler's report, it appears he's moving in the right direction toward that goal.

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