Steelers Have Big Problems With Roman Wilson

The Pittsburgh Steelers had two different wide receivers make their team debut in Week 14. Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdez-Scantling combined for just one reception for four yards on two targets, but that's still more than what could be said for second-year wideout Roman Wilson, who was inactive for this contest. He went from seemingly making strides earlier in the year, to being a healthy scratch. That is a terrible sign for the second-year wideout trying to prove that he belongs in the starting lineup, let alone the NFL. 

Insider Brian Batko was asked about that during his weekly Q&A chat, and he explained just how bad the situation truly is for Wilson after everything that went down in Week 14.

"How can it not be a little concerning? As someone mentioned earlier, it's not just Adam Thielen and MVS who were active over him," Batko said. "Scotty Miller being in uniform to play three snaps on offense and one on special teams is even more of an indictment. Maybe it's just a disconnect or tough fit with him and Rodgers, so a new QB next year could give him a fresh slate. But couple it with his lost rookie season a year ago and it's a rough trend to start his career."

Many fans were shocked when it was first announced that Wilson would not get a helmet for this game. While the stats don't look good, the game film shows that Wilson gets open the most. Whether Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith doesn't draw up plays for him, quarterback Aaron Rodgers doesn't look his way, or a combination of the two, it feels like the young wideout has not gotten the targets and opportunities that he deserves. 

However, Rodgers made a comment about how the addition of the veteran wide receivers "made a difference from a professionalism standpoint." There were other little tidbits that popped up about how Thielen and Valdez-Scantling may have been more focused in practice, which led to Wilson getting benched. If that's truly the case, that can be a problem, and it could spell the end for the former third-round pick and college national champion.

The game film tells a completely different story from the reports and direct quotes, and it's hard to tell just how locked in Wilson is in meetings and in practice. His ability to run routes and get open would signify that he understands what he needs to do and is focused, but maybe he could be more locked in. Maybe there's another level he could reach on the practice field that would make his quarterback want to look his way more often.

Steelers Have Seen Rodgers Demanding More From Wilson Before

Rodgers is notoriously demanding and hard to work with, and Wilson experienced that first-hand in training camp. The whole offense had an awful day in practice, and the quarterback/receiver combination were the main people that were getting scrutinized. The veteran passer publicly called out his young wideout, and it led to both of them taking massive jumps and playing very well in the rest of training camp. 

Hopefully, this sudden benching will allow Wilson to realize exactly how he can be better. We will see if he makes improvements in this practice week leading up to a primetime battle in Week 15 to keep control of the AFC North. If he stays on the bench, he could end up getting traded away in 2026. If he gets back on the field and earns everyone's trust, he could end up being a starter that year. It appears to be all up to him and how seriously he takes practice.