The Pittsburgh Steelers decided to trade away star wide receiver George Pickens on Wednesday morning, reshaping their receiving corps. Despite the departure of Pickens, the Steelers still boast star wideout DK Metcalf, and they are now looking to add more depth to the position. The trade has sparked significant attention, especially surrounding the future of Roman Wilson, the third-round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft.
Wilson had a challenging rookie campaign, plagued by injuries that limited his ability to contribute on the field. However, recent reports suggest that the Steelers are confident in his potential heading into the 2025 season. ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler highlighted that the team sees a drastically different player in Wilson now compared to his rookie year, where he struggled to stay healthy and barely saw the field.
With the Steelers' confidence in Wilson growing, many fans are eager to see how he can impact the offense next year. The team's belief in his development signals that they expect him to step up and potentially become a key player in the receiving game, adding another exciting layer to the Steelers' offensive plans for 2025.
"Team [Steelers] counting on a Roman Wilson Year 2 jump," Fowler said. "This offseason, he looks like a different player than from his injury riddled rookie campaign."
There was a wave of excitement surrounding Wilson after the 2024 NFL Draft. The Steelers' wide receiver room had been in need of help, and many felt that Wilson could be the spark they were looking for. He was touted as a wide receiver who could come in as a rookie and make an immediate impact.
However, things took a turn when Wilson suffered an early injury that kept him sidelined before the season even began. Unfortunately, another injury set him back further, and at that point, the Steelers opted not to rush him back into action, despite the obvious need for help in the receiver room.
Now, it appears that Wilson is fully healthy and ready to take on a more prominent role in 2025. With the departure of Pickens, Metcalf will undoubtedly attract a lot of attention from opposing defenses, which opens up opportunities for other receivers.
This creates space for sneaky slot receivers like Wilson and Calvin Austin III to step up and make their mark. Austin, in particular, exceeded expectations in 2024, impressing many Steelers fans with his play. If the Steelers can get similar or even better production from Austin, and Wilson can deliver on his potential, it could explain why they felt comfortable parting ways with Pickens.
The shift in the wide receiver dynamic gives the Steelers an opportunity to build a more balanced and diverse offensive attack. With Wilson now healthy and ready to contribute, the team may have found the missing piece to complement Metcalf and Austin, providing a new look to the receiving corps in 2025.
Steelers Still In The Market For Help At Wide Receiver
While the report from Fowler suggests that the Steelers view Wilson as a completely new player heading into 2025, that doesn't necessarily mean Pittsburgh is done seeking help from outside the organization. The trade of Pickens has left a significant gap in the wide receiver room, and now the Steelers must determine how best to address the void created by his departure.
There are still solid veteran free-agent options available, along with some intriguing trade possibilities the Steelers could explore. General Manager Omar Khan has never been afraid to make bold moves, and it's possible the team has something significant planned to bolster their receiving corps. Steelers fans are eagerly watching to see what direction Pittsburgh takes, both in terms of adding outside talent and seeing how Wilson progresses in his second season.
