Steelers' Roman Wilson Changes Jersey Before Pivotal Season

History of No. 14 for Steelers

The most recent Steeler to wear No. 14 was running back Kenneth Gainwell in 2025.

During his lone year with the team, Gainwell recorded 1,023 yards from scrimmage to go alongside eight touchdowns. As a result, he won the team's MVP Award and signed a two-year, $14 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency this offseason.

Prior to Gainwell, wide receiver George Pickens wore No. 14 for each of his three campaigns in Pittsburgh. During that span, the 2022 second-round pick posted 2,841 yards and 12 touchdowns on 174 catches before getting traded to the Dallas Cowboys last offseason.

Quarterback Neil O'Donnell also used No. 14 in his five seasons with the Steelers after going in the third round of the 1990 NFL Draft.

Wilson's Path Forward in Pittsburgh

Wilson was never going to have a straightforward path to consistent playing time in 2026.

He appeared in just one game as a rookie after dealing with ankle and hamstring injuries, and 2025 saw him record 166 yards with a pair of touchdowns in 13 contests.

With Pittsburgh adding Michael Pittman Jr. via trade from the Indianapolis Colts and Germie Bernard in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, Wilson is a second-stringer at best for the team as of now.

It also doesn't help that the Steelers took Kaden Wetjen, who admittedly is more of a kick returner at this stage, in the fourth round and a Swiss Army knife in Eli Heidenreich, who can play from the slot, during the seventh round.

Wilson has a lot to prove to head coach Mike McCarthy and company over the coming months. He still has some untapped potential, but if he can't change the narrative surrounding him in Pittsburgh over that span, he's all but certain to be suiting up for a different team by the time September rolls around.