Pittsburgh WR3
Pittsburgh WR3
As we do every week to prepare you for the upcoming game, we give you our X factor of the week. Sometimes it’s a player, unit, concept or scheme. Here’s our Pittsburgh Steelers X factor against the New England Patriots.
STEELERS VS PATRIOTS X FACTOR: WR ROMAN WILSON
Roman Wilson came into the 2026 season with more pressure on his shoulders than nearly anybody else on the Steelers’ roster. His first season was dictated by injuries, and his second had a couple bright moments before he was thrust out of the gameplan as the year went on. Now in his third year, Wilson is at a point in which his career could be on the line.
It was a great sign when Wilson got off to a strong start in camp and earned praise from Aaron Rodgers numerous times. But he was held quiet in the small amount of preseason action he did get, and then had a quiet season opener against Atlanta.
Wilson wasn’t bad, and he certainly got his chances with his six targets tied for the second most on the team. He did make some of them count. Wilson’s best play came on this reception from Aaron Rodgers over the middle for a long first down.
Rodgers to Roman MOF 1st down!!!! #Steelers pic.twitter.com/XPJJxjTSxX
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) September 13, 2026
But he couldn’t take advantage of all of them. Roman Wilson had a jump ball thrown to him in the end zone and got his hands on it, but wasn’t able to reel it in. On another play, he beat his defender by a step down the sideline, but was interfered with as the ball fell incomplete.
This Sunday, the Steelers need him to take advantage of all his opportunities. Michael Pittman Jr. didn’t practice on Thursday nor Friday. There is a real chance that he misses the game. If he does, that’s troublesome for the receiving corps given DK Metcalf’s rocky performance in Week 1. Against a talented New England secondary, Wilson would need to step up.
It’s also important considering his battle for time with Germie Bernard. It’s a battle Wilson is dominating right now, and his snaps won’t go anywhere on Sunday. But if Pittman can’t go, Bernard is going to become the WR3. If he has a good game while Wilson remains quiet, the Steelers could have some decisions to make once the group is fully healthy again.
But first things first, the Steelers need a win on Sunday. The offense will need to look better than it did a week ago. A big game from Roman Wilson would be a massive help.