Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger Explains Hidden Roman Wilson Interception Detail

The Pittsburgh Steelers have spent several days dissecting the two interceptions Will Howard threw against the New York Jets, but a revealing detail about Roman Wilson continues to complicate the initial reaction.

Howard targeted Wilson on both turnovers during Pittsburgh's 17-0 preseason loss. The quarterback deserves blame because protecting the football ultimately falls on the player making the throw. However, multiple comments since the contest have suggested the breakdowns were not entirely his responsibility.

Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has now added a technical explanation to that discussion. He did not accuse Wilson of running the wrong route, but he identified something the wideout could have done to create more separation and give Howard a cleaner passing window. Roethlisberger explained while speaking on his podcast on Tuesday.

"That second one could have been helped by Roman Wilson," Roethlisberger said. "He could have helped him a little bit more."

That distinction matters. Roethlisberger was not attempting to remove all responsibility from Howard or declare Wilson responsible for the interception. His point was that NFL passing plays depend on the route and throw working together, particularly when a receiver crosses the field with a defender positioned to undercut him.

The immediate response after the matchup focused heavily on Howard's stat line. He completed 10 of 15 passes for 74 yards, but both promising possessions ended with the Jets taking away throws intended for Wilson. Those mistakes transformed an otherwise manageable performance into a damaging night.

Mike McCarthy was later asked directly whether Wilson had been in the proper position on those interceptions. The coach could have quickly dismissed any questions about the receiver's execution. Instead, he said the two plays were not clean, preserving reasonable doubt about exactly how the responsibility should be divided.

Roethlisberger offered a much more detailed explanation. He described a route-running technique called a "stair step," which Wilson could have used while crossing the field. The movement would sell a vertical path before the receiver broke across, potentially forcing the nearby defender to turn and creating additional space.

"Roman can help him a little bit with what we call a stair step," Roethlisberger said. "As he's coming across the field, lean into him like you're going vertical. That creates that safety, or the corner, or whoever it is, to then go vertical. Then you cut across and create more separation."

That small detail changes the geometry of the play. Without the stair step, the defender can maintain leverage and drive directly toward the route. Howard is then forced to choose between firing a difficult pass before the window closes or adding touch and potentially allowing another defensive back to arrive.

"If you don't do that, then as a quarterback, you have two options," Roethlisberger explained. "I can either drill it as hard as I can on a line and hope he doesn't undercut it, or I can put some air on it, but then there are guys on the back end that can make a play."

Roethlisberger was careful not to present his interpretation as a definitive indictment. Different position coaches can teach crossing routes differently, and outsiders do not know the exact assignment McCarthy's offense gave Wilson. That makes it impossible to responsibly declare that the pass-catcher ran the route incorrectly.

"I'm not saying Roman was wrong," Roethlisberger said. "I'm saying he can probably help him. Now, not every wide receivers coach teaches that either."

That qualification makes Roethlisberger's breakdown more credible, not less meaningful. He explained how Wilson could have improved the picture for Howard without pretending to know every instruction attached to the concept.

Steelers Must Determine Whether Roman Wilson's Technique Is Reliable

Wilson's talent has never been the primary concern. His speed, hands and natural receiving ability have repeatedly appeared during practices. The larger question is whether he can consistently handle the precise details required to earn trust from Pittsburgh's quarterbacks and coaching staff.

Howard still must recognize danger and avoid forcing a throw when the route does not develop as expected. Yet Roethlisberger's analysis supports the growing belief that the interceptions were collective failures rather than two reckless decisions made in isolation. Wilson may not have been wrong, but he apparently had an opportunity to help.

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