The Pittsburgh Steelers reimagined the wide receiver room this offseason, making roster additions via trade and through the 2026 NFL Draft, but one holdover is drawing rave reviews from the coaching staff.

Former third-round pick Roman Wilson started just four games last season. His role could grow this year. “He’s been here from Day 1,” head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters, including Brooke Pryor of ESPN. “He was one of the first men to reach out and clearly ask what the expectation was of him, how I view him, how I saw him fitting in as the roles X, F and Z. He’s doing the work.”

The Steelers added Michael Pittman in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts. The team also drafted Germie Bernard in the second round, then spent a fourth-round pick on Kaden Wetjen. It’s a much-needed influx of talent for a position corps that lacked talent beyond DK Metcalf last season. Wilson is positioning himself to stand out among the group.

“He’s had a great offseason,” McCarthy said. “I just need him to keep showing up and keep working his tail off because he’s got a skill set, there’s a lot there to work with. Roman’s done a really nice job.”

Pittsburgh Steelers Roster News: Roman Wilson Drawing Praise from Coaches

After appearing in just one game as a rookie, Wilson was slightly more involved this past year. He finished the 2025-26 campaign with 12 catches on 20 targets for 166 yards. Wilson had the best game of his season in Week 8 against the Green Bay Packers, making four grabs for 74 yards and his first career touchdown. He came into the matchup with just four catches on the season. The big outing against the Packers didn’t foreshadow more involvement for Wilson. He did make another TD grab a few weeks later, but managed more than one catch just once the rest of the season.

Pittsburgh selected Wilson out of the University of Michigan with the 84th pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. He put together a storied college career with the Wolverines, including a national championship victory in 2023. Injuries cratered Wilson’s first campaign with the Steelers. He missed most of training camp and all of the preseason with an ankle injury. The issue kept him out of action for the first month of the regular season. He finally suited up in Week 6, only to go down with a significant hamstring injury soon after.

Wilson was healthy last season, but often operated behind wideout Calvin Austin III. Pittsburgh also leaned on veterans Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Adam Thielen, and Scotty Miller. A passing offense that focused on tight ends Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, and Darnell Washington capped the opportunities for the wide receivers.

Steelers Wide Receivers Offer Flexibility

The incoming wideouts offer plenty of versatility. As Pryor points out, Bernard is one of just two wide receivers in the SEC over the past two seasons to score from all three spots and out of the backfield. Wetjen was a kick return weapon at Iowa. Pittman has played all over the field.

“We’re not shorthanded on pass catchers,” Pittman told reporters back in May.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers once again have had a bit of a dramatic offseason, as they spent several months waiting for star quarterback Aaron Rodgers to decide whether or not he wanted to return for the 2026 campaign. Eventually, Rodgers re-signed with the Steelers on a one-year contract in free agency, but he made it clear that this would be his final season in the NFL shortly after putting pen to paper.

Prior to bringing Rodgers back, Pittsburgh worked hard at upgrading the rest of the roster, with an emphasis being placed on improving the team’s supporting cast of playmakers on offense. Ahead of training camp, Rodgers took the Steelers playmakers on a bonding trip, and he sent a strong two-word message on social media when sharing pictures of the outing.

Aaron Rodgers Getting Ready for His ‘Last Rodeo’ with Steelers in 2026

If Rodgers’ prolonged stint in free agency felt familiar, that’s because he forced the Steelers to sweat out his decision-making process last offseason, too. Eventually, Rodgers decided to play the 2025 campaign with Pittsburgh, and while he isn’t the quarterback he once was, he still turned in a solid season that helped his team find its way to the playoffs (327/498, 3,322 YDS, 24 TD, 7 INT).

The Steelers were very pleased with what they received from Rodgers, and they made it clear they wanted him back for the 2026 season. Considering how he’s entering his age-43 campaign, it was clear that Rodgers didn’t have much time left in the pros, but the team felt confident that he could help it remain a playoff contender at the very least before it turned its attention to finding its eventual long-term quarterback.

Sure enough, Rodgers is back, and he’s going to be surrounded by an offense that looks a bit different than it did last season. While Michael Pittman Jr. is the shiny new addition, guys like Kenneth Gainwell and Jonnu Smith are gone. As a result, it’s going to be important for Rodgers to be on the same page with all of his playmakers, which led to their aforementioned bonding trip. Unsurprisingly, Rodgers sent a clear message when sharing photos of the trip online.

“Last Rodeo,” Rodgers wrote for the caption of his latest Instagram post.

Steelers Have High Hopes for Aaron Rodgers in 2026

GettyPITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 12: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks to pass against the Houston Texans in the first quarter of an NFL wild card playoff game at Acrisure Stadium on January 12, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

This season is likely going to be a bit nostalgic for Rodgers. Not only will it be his final year in the NFL, but he’s also been reunited with his longtime head coach Mike McCarthy, who was hired by the Steelers to replace Mike Tomlin after he abruptly stepped down from his position earlier this offseason.

It may seem a bit foolish to continue relying on Rodgers, even as he inches closer towards the end of his career, but Pittsburgh clearly has high hopes for this team. At some point, the front office will have to find its replacement for Rodgers, but in the present, this team is solely focused on doing whatever it takes to win the Super Bowl this upcoming season.

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