Steelers WR Under Pressure To Solve Mike Tomlin Biggest Headache Amid Reports Hinting at Allen Lazard Trade

‘Pressure? Pressure’s just love with nowhere to go.‘ The line from Ballers hums like a stadium anthem as Roman Wilson, Pittsburgh’s 5’10” speedster, stares down his make-or-break moment. After a rookie season lost to injuries—zero snaps, zero stats—the Steelers’ third-round pick isn’t just chasing redemption, he’s lugging the weight of a franchise’s frayed hopes. Welcome to Pittsburgh, where the Terrible Towels wave extra furiously these days.

Wilson’s 2024 was a highlight reel of almosts: a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the Combine, 12 TDs in Michigan’s natty run, then… poof. A high ankle sprain buried him on IR. But here’s the twist: Mike Tomlin’s putting his trust in him.

“The #Steelers are counting on a ‘year two jump’ from WR Roman Wilson,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports, and boy, does that understatement hit like a blindside blitz. With QB chaos (Mason Rudolph? Will Howard?), a leaky O-line, and red-zone woes ranking 29th, Wilson’s not just a receiver—he’s a human Band-Aid. “No block, no rock.” Wilson said. “People say that I can’t be a number one receiver, and I feel like I definitely can be that guy.” Cue the Rocky theme.

The #Steelers are counting on a “year two jump” from WR Roman Wilson, per Jeremy Fowler.

Wilson reportedly looks like a different player this offseason after an injury-riddled rookie season in which he played only five snaps. pic.twitter.com/DfnoJztLRv

— Steelers Update (@SteelersUpdate1) May 7, 2025

Can Wilson Rewrite the Script? Let’s rewind the tape. At Michigan, Wilson was that dude—clutch catches in the Rose Bowl, one-handed stunners, and two TDs against his hometown Hawaii squad. “I feel like I definitely can be that guy,” he says, flexing that 789-yard senior season. But the NFL’s a different beast. Pittsburgh’s WR room? It’s thin after George Pickens’ exit.

Enter Allen Lazard rumors—6’5”, 27 career TDs, and Rodgers’ old safety net—but Wilson’s not flinching. He’s here to play and that’s it.

Mike Tomlin and Allen Lazard limbo: Steel city savior?

Mike Tomlin’s mantra? Patience. He likens Wilson’s journey to ‘jumping on a moving train,’ but Steelers Nation’s got anxiety. With $34.3M in cap space and Lazard’s $2.25M tag tempting a trade, Wilson’s gotta flash more than potential. Remember his 37-yard dagger in the natty? Pittsburgh needs that now. ‘Injuries won’t define me,’ Wilson vows. Good thing—’cause in the AFC North, ‘next man up’ isn’t a cliché. It’s law.

Meanwhile, Allen Lazard’s playing chess with his career. After slashing his Jets salary to $2.25M, he dropped a Wolf of Wall Street GIF: “I’m not f—— leaving!” But Pittsburgh’s sniffing around, dreaming of Rodgers-to-Lazard magic. Stats? 530 yards, 6 TDs in ‘24—solid, but not salsa-dancing-on-DB’s-graves elite. Still, at 6’5”, he’s a red-zone cheat code for a team that botched 71% of trips inside the 20.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 30: Allen Lazard and Aaron Rodgers attend game one of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on April 30, 2023 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Tomlin’s dilemma? Bet on Wilson’s upside or rent Lazard’s vet IQ. It’s Moneyball meets Friday Night Lights: ‘It’s not about the money, it’s about the rings.’ But with Rodgers waffling and Wilson’s health iffy, Pittsburgh’s playbook’s got more question marks than a rookie’s playcall.

Will Wilson rise like a phoenix in cleats? Or will Lazard waltz in, Rodgers in tow? Either way, the Steel City’s watching—breath held, towels twirling, praying this chapter’s verse ends with six points, not a sour rhyme.

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