Steelers' Roman Wilson Talks Aaron Rodgers Connection, 'I Want to Be That Guy'

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson is working to prove his status as a top target for Aaron Rodgers after being listed as a third-string option on the team's first unofficial depth chart of the preseason.

When asked on Tuesday how he is working to fit in with Rodgers, Wilson told reporters, “Just being open deep down the field, intermediate down the field, low crosses, things like that. Just trying to be open at all times."

Wilson continued, “I want him to want to use me. I want to be that guy.”

Originally selected by the Steelers in the third round of the 2024 draft, Wilson missed last summer's training camp and the first five weeks of his rookie season with an ankle injury.

He appeared in Week 6, but only took five snaps with no targets before he was placed on the injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters during April's NFL owners meetings that Wilson had been cleared to play by the end of the 2024 season, but that "healthy and football readiness were two different things."

"When you’re coming back from injury, you’re essentially getting on a moving train is the analogy that I like to use. We talk about a guy that had very little NFL experience," Tomlin said, per Penn Live's Nick Farabaugh.

Tomlin continued, "We’re expecting really good things for him in his second year. I think that’s a reasonable expectation. I think from time to time guys get faced with injury and it derails their start, but by no means do we feel like it’s going to define his career. Calvin Austin is an example of that."

Austin was sidelined by a foot injury for the entirety of what would have been his rookie campaign in 2022, but has steadily seen his role on the Steelers' offense increase over the last two seasons.

Wilson told reporters on Wednesday that Austin has helped him during his recovery from the injuries that limited him last season.

"Going through my injury, he's helped me a lot. Gave me a lot of advice, gave me a lot of wisdom. He's helped me out on the football field a lot. I look up to him, he's like a big brother. I feel like he's always got the right answers for me," Wilson said.

Austin, who is competing to be a secondary option behind DK Metcalf, has missed training camp this week with an injury.

Although it is unclear whether Austin will be available for this weekend's preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Wilson could be hoping to get some snaps in order to continue his bid for a larger role in Rodgers' offense this season. Kickoff at EverBank Stadium is set for Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.