PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Given the expectations and the need at the position, few recent draft picks have been as disappointing through two seasons as Roman Wilson. Mike McCarthy, though, with some big talk about the receiver.
A national champion coming off a big year at Michigan, Wilson was picked in the third round (84th overall) with an opportunity for immediate playing time. Early injuries and lack of practice time stunted his first year, playing in only one game as a rookie with no receptions.
Aaron Rodgers praised Wilson any time he could during training camp last year. He pointed to his potential that is touched with 13 games, four starts, 12 receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns. Even with those successes, the team brought in 35-year-old receiver Adam Thielen instead of trusting Wilson.
This year, the talk is there again, although it’s an entirely new offensive coaching staff including McCarthy as head coach.
“He’s doing the work,” McCarthy said Wednesday after an OTA session. “He’s had a great offseason. I just need him to keep showing up and keep working his tail off because he's got a skillset, there’s a lot there to work with.”
“It’s been very exciting, Mike McCarthy is a great coach,” Wilson said. “I love his offense, I love him. I love the guys he’s brought it. It’s great.”
McCarthy said after he was hired, Wilson was one of the first returning Steelers players to reach out to him. McCarthy said Roman he asked what the expectation was of him and how he fit into the new Steelers offense. The veteran coach said he sees Wilson working at all of the positions.
“I think just being an NFL receiver, you line up everywhere,” Wilson said. “You got to do a little bit of everything. I think it’s just expected.”
Wilson said he worked with a lot of different receivers this offseason and said he not only learned a lot about football, but about himself. Even with the addition of Germie Bernard in the draft and Michael Pittman in free agency, there are still opportunities for Wilson. He could beat out Bernard as the third receiver, or even as the fourth, in McCarthy’s offense they use more receivers than his first two seasons with Arthur Smith.
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Trying to build off what he’s learned, Wilson has committed himself to being one of the last three off the field every practice.
“Just keep doing exactly what he's been doing,” McCarthy said. “He’s been here from day one. He’s had a great offseason. I just need him to keep showing up and keep working his tail off because he's got a skillset, there’s a lot there to work with.”
“Roman’s done a really nice job.”
Praise has come before. Will it materialize into results?
What new head coach Mike McCarthy said about 3rd year WR
What new head coach Mike McCarthy said about 3rd year WR
