Latest news with #RomanWilson
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Arthur Smith rewards young Steelers playmaker for hard work behind the scenes
The Pittsburgh Steelers officially began their 2025 season on Saturday with a 31-25 preseason victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. While most of the starters and veterans sat out this game, it was the first chance for some of the younger players who have flashed throughout training camp to showcase what they can do in a game setting. But for one of the Steelers' young playmakers, it wasn't just about showing what he could do; it was the culmination of months of work that went on when nobody was watching. Second-year wide receiver Roman Wilson tallied 2 catches for 24 yards on Saturday in limited playing time. It was some of the first action we have seen Wilson get in a game setting in the NFL. Wilson has been a standout throughout camp and someone who has a blossoming connection with Aaron Rodgers. Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith was asked on Monday if getting Wilson involved early in Saturday's contest was intentional, and he did not hold back in praising the work that the young receiver has put in throughout the offseason. The entire press conference is available on the Post-Gazette Sports YouTube channel. 'I mean, obviously, nobody wants to go through that and not play your rookie year, but he handled it. You know, some guys, they just kind of go away and Roman behind the scenes has done a lot of work. It's, you know, pretty sure the ball was going to go there, but you never know the coverage was different when we were going to Scotty and back, but that was intentional to get him going early and he deserves that and he's rewarded. Uh, seen a lot of progress, so hopefully he continues.' When Wilson was drafted 84th overall in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, he was expected to be an immediate contributor to an offense that needed help in the wide receiver room. However, Wilson's rookie season never truly got off the ground. Wilson suffered a high-ankle sprain that caused him to miss the majority of training camp last season. After being a healthy scratch for the first month of the season, Wilson appeared in just one game for the Steelers before suffering a hamstring injury that landed him on season-ending injured reserve. The work throughout the offseason and strong play in training camp gave Wilson the opportunity for a fresh start entering year two. With DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III sitting out of the team's first preseason game, Wilson used this opportunity to gain back the trust of his coaches, teammates, and fans. As long as he can stay healthy, Wilson has the golden opportunity to work himself into extended playing time with a quarterback whom he continues to earn the trust of.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers Sights & Sounds: Jack Sawyer Shows Off Speed, Power
UNITY TWP., Pa. — The Pittsburgh Steelers offense so far in 2025 under Art Smith and Aaron Rodgers has utilized a lot more quick passing and the middle of the field than they did last season with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. But they still want to air it out from time to time. The offense worked on that deep ball connection, and the related back-shoulder pass, at practice on Sunday. This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Sights & Sounds: Jack Sawyer Shows Off Speed, Power Related Headlines Bengals Will Wear Alternate Uniforms vs. Steelers in Week 7 Aaron Rodgers Thinks Steelers Have Something Special in Roman Wilson: 'So Damn Talented' CBS Reveals Announcers for Steelers-Jets Week 1 Game Aaron Rodgers Not Expected to Play in Steelers Preseason Opener
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Which Unheralded WR Will Make the Biggest Impact?
Can Roc Taylor, Roman Wilson or Robert Woods make an impact this season? #steelers #herewego #nfl CONNECT WITH STEELERS NOW: Steelers Now: SN on Twitter: SN on FB: SN on Insta:
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Aaron Rodgers sends savage message to Pittsburgh Steelers teammate as tension rises in camp
Veteran star Aaron Rodgers has offered some brutal advice to a Steelers teammate ahead of the new NFL season. At their recent training camp, the 41-year-old was asked about second-year receiver Roman Wilson, who struggled to make an impact during his rookie season. Wilson's debut campaign was derailed by a hamstring injury in October but Rodgers suggested that there's something else holding the young star back. According to 93.7 The Fan, he said: 'I gotta get Ro out of his head a little bit. I think he's such a good kid. 'He cares so much, whether it's my approval or if he's doing it right. He's just gotta trust himself, because he's so damn talented. 'The more you can play free and not think out there, the better he's gonna play. The more he can just trust what he's got, and then just go out there and react, the better he can play.' Rodgers comments can only be viewed as constructive criticism to his teammate and it appears that the two have already established a connection on the field. In Tuesday's session, the two connect for an impressive touchdown, as Wilson dived to make a stunning catch. Speaking to The Athletic afterwards, Wilson said: 'Just trying to be open at all times. I want him to want to use me. I want to be that guy.' Steelers coach Mike Tomlin will be hoping that Rodgers is able to rediscover his best form with the franchise, after they suffered an injury in the quarterback department. On Tuesday it emerged that Will Howard, who was selected in the sixth round of April's NFL Draft, has suffered a fracture in his hand after banging it during practice, While the young quarterback is awaiting further tests, it is not expected that he will be required to undergo surgery. However, he is still expected to be ruled out for at least three weeks with the 2025 season on the horizon. After spending 2024 at Ohio State following four years at Kansas State, Howard is entering his rookie year with the Steelers under the mentorship of Aaron Rodgers. The four-time MVP, who signed a one-year, $13.65million deal with Pittsburgh this offseason, is expected to suit up as Mike Tomlin's starter under center.
New York Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
The Aaron Rodgers-Roman Wilson connection moves in the right direction at Steelers training camp
LATROBE, Pa. — The Aaron Rodgers-to-Roman Wilson connection took a step in the right direction on Tuesday, starting with the first drill of practice. During Seven Shots, Rodgers was flushed out of the pocket. He rifled a pass between two defenders and into the outstretched hands of a diving Wilson. Advertisement 'Just trying to be open at all times,' Wilson said. 'I want him to want to use me. I want to be that guy.' That early completion jumpstarted Wilson's best day of camp. With Calvin Austin III still sidelined due to an injury Wilson took the majority of the WR2 reps, including many 12 personnel packages with two tight ends and two receivers on the field. During an 11-on-11 period, Rodgers found Wilson on a quick out. Later, the veteran QB connected with Wilson on a dig route about 20 yards downfield. When the Steelers acquired DK Metcalf, he instantly became Rodgers' go-to weapon. The QB's quick release and Metcalf's ability to win on slants, whip routes and quick outs has married well. Rodgers' connection with receivers not named Metcalf has been slower to develop. Before Tuesday, the most noteworthy targets in Wilson's direction were missed connections. Wilson and Rodgers weren't on the same page on an out route early in the first week. On Sunday, Rodgers targeted Wilson on a corner route — the ball skipped well in front of the receiver, suggesting it could have been a route depth issue. Rodgers has been hands-on, teaching Wilson exactly how he wants routes to be executed. 'No matter where you go, when you've got new guys coming around who have been in different things, it takes a second for it to click,' Wilson said. 'Just keep working on it.' Theoretically, Wilson's skillset should complement Rodgers well. At Michigan, Wilson feasted on in-breaking routes — 71.7 percent of his catches during the Wolverines' 2023 national championship campaign came between the numbers. A former track star in high school, he also possesses the top-end speed to create yards after catch, with 37.5 percent of his receptions in 2023 resulting in a 20-plus-yard play. '(I'm trying to be) open deep down the field and intermediate down the field, low crosses things like that,' Wilson said. Advertisement Wilson, who ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, caught the Steelers' eye with some competitive reps against Quinyon Mitchell at the Senior Bowl. However, a hip-drop tackle in the first padded practice and a hamstring injury in-season derailed Wilson's rookie season. Wilson has leaned on Austin, who also lost his rookie year to injury, as a mentor and as blueprint. 'Just going through my injuries, he helped me a lot,' Wilson said. 'Gave me a lot of advice, gave me a lot of wisdom … I look up to him. He's like a big brother, and I feel like he's always got the right answer for me.' Beyond the Rodgers connection, Wilson is still working to become a more polished route runner. He said receivers coach Zach Azzanni has worked with him on keeping his feet in front of him instead of getting too wide in his stance. While Tuesday was progress, there's still plenty of room for growth. 'Just taking it step by step, day by day,' Wilson said. 'I tell myself don't get too high, don't get too low. Just be consistent and just keep chipping away. You guys (in the media) like to say I showed up today, but, you know, just come back tomorrow and try to repeat.' • Quarterback Will Howard sustained a broken right pinky at Tuesday's practice. • In other injury news, tight end Jonnu Smith left practice with knee soreness. Tomlin said it's 'less significant.' Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith is expected to miss 'at least a couple days,' with a groin injury that he sustained on Sunday. • Rodgers's velocity was noticeable on Tuesday, one of the best days from the offense. That included a dart up the seam intended for Connor Heyward. The pass hit off the tight end's face mask and was intercepted by inside linebacker Patrick Queen. During a seven-on-seven period, Rodgers went right back to Heyward for a nice gain. • The Steelers ended practice with a two-minute drill. The offense, led by Rodgers, started at the 40-yard line with 1:41 on the clock. Rodgers meticulously moved the group down the field, completing his first four passes to Pat Freiermuth, Jaylen Warren, Freiermuth again and Warren again. After an incomplete pass, Rodgers targeted Wilson on a skinny post. Defensive back Brandin Echols dove to deflect the pass and safety Juan Thornhill intercepted it. • Speaking of Echols, he and the other depth defensive backs got more time against the fist-team offense, as Joey Porter Jr. only participated in individual drills and Jalen Ramsey got a day off. Darius Slay also had a lighter workload than usual. (This could have been part of the reason the offense had one of its best days of camp.) Echols has been enjoying a solid camp. Meanwhile, James Pierre's best rep came when he stayed in DK Metcalf's hip pocket on a go route.
