PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Once again, Roman Wilson gets an opportunity to show what he can do. The first person mentioned when Mike Tomlin discussed filling in for the suspended DK Metcalf.
Early in the season after strong, offseason workouts, Wilson got 10 snaps in the first game, by Week 4, he got three plays with the offense. The 2024 third-round pick had his first TD when the game was decided against Green Bay. He had four receptions for 74 yards. He would add another late touchdown against the Chargers with the score already 25-3.
It didn’t carry over.
He had one catch the rest of November, and hasn’t dressed for a game all month having his spot taken by a couple of veterans taken off other guys rosters.
Adam Thielen, a 13-year veteran, has 95 snaps in three games since joining the Steelers days before he played.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who played four years with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, came off the Steelers practice squad for 81 snaps
“A guy like Roman Wilson, for example, who has been working extremely hard and growing throughout the course of this thing, but had his role reduced in recent weeks,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “Man. I'm excited what this opportunity might mean for him to display growth in the midst of the time where he hadn't been participating to show his professionalism and his readiness and how he's been sharpening his sword for battle in the ranks while he hadn't been playing.”
It’s a big ask. To be fair, there is no one receiver, tight end or running back who should be expected to carry the load for Metcalf missing. He’s by far the team’s leading receiver with 59 receptions for 850 yards and had 245 of those yards in the last three games, including his best game with the Steelers, seven receptions for 148 yards against the Ravens.
They are likely to remain patient with a player they drafted 84th overall last year, but how many chances will Wilson get?
Rodgers praised him in training camp and about a month ago for the potential he has and athleticism he’s shown. He’s outwardly appeared as a fan of Wilson’s talent.
The veteran quarterback also isn’t afraid to target new people. Last week he threw three passes to Scotty Miller in critical situations after Miller hadn’t caught a pass in over two months.
An opportunity has presented itself once again, what will the 24-year-old do with it?