Don’t read too much into Roman Wilson’s new jersey number, says the third-year receiver who traded in 10 for 14.
Wilson knows his new digits might be viewed as him embracing a clean slate with the Pittsburgh Steelers. New coach. New number. New beginning.
Not so, he says.
Wilson is hopeful that he finds greater success in coach Mike McCarthy’s offense, but he wasn’t making any grand statement by moving to a new spot on the roster.
“I wanted to go back to a number I was more comfortable with,” said Wilson, who wore 14 for his first three seasons at Michigan. “I wore it in high school and college. It was available, so I just took a shot at it. There’s no kind of meaning like that or anything. But it is nice to quote-unquote have a fresh start, if you want to say that.”
Wilson turns 25 next month. He was the leading receiver on a Michigan national championship team but hasn’t found a steady role since the Steelers drafted him in the third round in 2024.
After playing in one game as a rookie, Wilson made only 12 catches for 166 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games last season. Worse, his second year ended with him inactive for five of the final six games, including the team’s playoff loss.
Still, the 6-foot, 192-pound Wilson downplayed any “clean slate” narrative last week while taking part in the Steelers’ practice-like organized team activities.
“Just new opportunities,” he said.
Wilson is part of a receiving corps that looks much different than a year ago.
He finished fourth among Steelers wideouts in routes run last season with 155. Two ranked ahead of him — Calvin Austin III (330 routes) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (173) — are no longer on the roster.
Adam Thielen (138) and Scotty Miller (107) also are gone. Valdes-Scantling and Thielen were late-season acquisitions who took snaps away from Wilson.
New faces have joined the receivers’ room. Veteran Michael Pittman Jr. was acquired in a trade with the Colts, and the Steelers used a second-round draft pick on Alabama receiver Germie Bernard.
Where Wilson ultimately fits into the hierarchy is still undetermined.
“I thought Roman Wilson’s done a good job coming along,” offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio said. “… We’re excited about the group that we’ve got, and with the addition of Germie, there are going to be some good battles that will happen.”
The Steelers have few proven options beyond Pittman and DK Metcalf.
Fourth-round pick Kaden Wetjen, a return specialist at Iowa, is working to contribute as a receiver. Special teams stalwart Ben Skowronek caught four passes last year, and practice squad member Brandon Johnson is back from injury. Seventh-round pick Eli Heidenreich, a running back/receiver hybrid, set receiving records at Navy.
A year ago, Wilson lined up wide for 131 snaps and played 33 in the slot. He averaged 13.8 yards per catch and made four starts but was targeted only 20 times.
“I have a lot of ways I’d like to see myself (contribute),” he said. “I’m just going to let it play out and we’ll see where it goes.”
Wilson described a solid connection with McCarthy’s new staff, particularly with receivers coach Adam Henry. The veteran NFL assistant has worked with CeeDee Lamb, Odell Beckham Jr. and Stefon Diggs, among others, in 30 years of coaching.
“Coach Henry has been a real blessing,” Wilson said. “I really like him a lot. He is a great coach, has been in the league for a long time and he’s been with a lot of good players. It’s been nice to pick his (brain). He’s just got so much experience.”
Wilson stayed after the team workout last week to catch passes from one of the mechanical Jugs machines. He said he doesn’t keep count of how many balls he catches daily but goes until he feels he covered everything he can.
OTAs run through June 12.
“It’s an opportunity to come out here, get better every day and grow,” Wilson said. “Really push yourself when maybe some other people aren’t. It’s a time to learn and get your feet wet again.”
This is the third spring for Wilson with the Steelers. Besides being a year older, he said he felt “a lot smarter,” more comfortable with his game, more established as a pro and more well-rounded as a receiver.
“I’ve just got to come out here and be myself,” he said. “I know I’m a good player. I know what I can do. I’ve got to come out and just be myself every day.”
If not a clean slate moment for Wilson, the arrival of a new coaching staff provided a reset for a receiver who surely hoped to contribute more than he has.
“There’s always a little bit of optimism,” Wilson said. “No matter where you are, what situation you’re in, there’s always room for a little optimism.”