The Pittsburgh Steelers have built a reputation for turning young talent into household names, especially the WRs. But not every rookie hits the ground running. Sometimes, even the most promising players spend their first year watching from the bench, leaving fans scratching their heads. This offseason, Steelers’ HC Mike Tomlin has finally addressed one such puzzling case – a decision to bench a player many believed destined for greatness. While the rookie’s debut season may have been forgettable, Tomlin’s bold prediction for 2025 has reignited hope. Tomlin believes it’s this player’s time to shine. Could this be the next breakout star in Pittsburgh’s tradition of second-year success?

Roman Wilson’s rookie season wasn’t memorable. The 3rd round pick out of Michigan entered the NFL with big dreams, but his injuries derailed his debut. An ankle injury during training camp kept him on the sidelines for weeks. By the time he returned in week 6 against the Las Vegas Raiders, he played just 5 snaps – mainly as a run blocker – and didn’t record any targets. Before he could gain a footing on the gridiron, a hamstring injury landed him on injured reserve, and the curtains closed on his rookie season. Talk about bad luck, huh?

So, what gives? Why didn’t Tomlin find ways to get Wilson involved? At the NFL League Meetings, Mike Tomlin explained the decision to limit Wilson’s role despite his apparent recovery in late season. “He was healthy, but healthy and football readiness are two different things,” Tomlin said. “When you’re coming back from injury, you’re essentially getting on a moving train… He was working extremely hard in practise, but a real avenue never presented itself due to the misfortune of others or what have you to be able to contribute.” 

According to popular sports media personality Dov Kleiman’s post on X, the Steelers’ GM Omar Khan is also optimistic about Roman Wilson. “You need more than one receiver in the league, and we’re fortunate we have George and Calvin (Austin) and excited about what Roman (Wilson) is going to be able to do for us”. The Steelers have faith in their receivers, that’s for sure. It’s not always that a third-round draft pick generates as much buzz as Roman Wilson did in 2024. Mike Tomlin has also drawn parallels between Wilson and Calvin Austin III, another young receiver whose injury wiped out his rookie year before making an impact in his second season. “We’re expecting really good things from him [Wilson] in his second year,” Tomlin added. “Injuries can derail a start, but by no means do we feel like it’s going to define his career.”

Roman Wilson has all the tools he needs to replicate the success stories of Steelers’ receivers. His speed makes him a threat on deep routes and jet sweeps. His versatility allows him to line up both inside and outside. With Calvin Austin III likely starting in the slot alongside DK Metcalf and George Pickens on the outside, Wilson will need to fight for his snaps – but competition breeds excellence, doesn’t it? 

Wilson’s college career offers plenty of reasons for optimism, too. At Michigan, he amassed over 1,700 receiving yards and 20 TDs. Whether it’s breaking free on deep routes or finding soft spots in coverage for third-down conversions, you know you can count on this guy to deliver when it matters the most. That’s exactly what sets him apart. If he can translate these skills to the NFL level – and stay healthy – there’s no reason he can’t emerge as one of Pittsburgh’s breakout stars in 2025.

So, is Roman Wilson ready for the big leagues? The answer lies in the Steelers’ past.

Second year breakouts – a Steelers speciality

If there’s one thing Steeler Nation can bank on, it’s their team’s ability to develop WR talent. Even outside of the first round drafts, Pittsburgh has consistently turned late-round picks into shining stars. This uncanny ability has earned the Steelers the name “wide receiver factory.” From Antonio Brown to JuJu Smith-Schuster to George Pickens, the Steelers know that patience pays off. They’re basically playing chess with football.

Let’s consider other examples. For instance, James Washington. His rookie season was flashy for sure, but lacked the consistency we usually hope for. Just 16 catches for 217 yards. In the second year, though, he made a big splash with over 700 receiving yards and 3 TDs. Not bad at all. Diontae Johnson is another example. He transformed from showing potential to becoming one of Ben Roethlisberger’s favorite targets. If your QB loves you, you know you’ve got some stuff.

Even Calvin Austin III followed this trend after missing his rookie season due to injury. When he finally hit the field in 2023, he quickly became Kenny Pickett’s go-to option when push came to shove. This trend isn’t accidental – it reflects Pittsburgh’s approach to player development. Rookies are often eased into roles while they learn the nuances of NFL playbooks. After all, they need to adjust themselves to the major league. For someone like Roman Wilson, who mostly played slot receiver at Michigan, this adjustment time must have been crucial.

Mike Tomlin has emphasized this during his remarks: “We don’t believe [his injuries] will define his career,” he said. “He’s got versatility… you like his instincts”. With Calvin Austin III likely starting in the slot alongside DK Metcalf and George Pickens on the outside, the competition is going to be fierce. But don’t worry, Steeler Nation, history is proof that when the opportunity comes, the Steelers receivers respond. 

Steelers are gearing up for the 2025 season. Anticipation is building – can Roman Wilson finally deliver on his potential? While injuries derailed his first year, both Mike Tomlin’s confidence and the team’s proven record are a cause for optimism. If history is any indication here, Wilson could be next in line for a breakout performance.

Wilson is all set to follow the legacy of Steelers greats who have turned slow starts into stellar careers. If all goes well during the training camp, there is no reason to doubt he can emerge as one of Pittsburgh’s finest breakout stars in 2025. Just a few more weeks and we’ll find out.