Steelers Linebacker Payton Wilson Is Running Out of Time. Here’s Why.

Payton Wilson has a problem. Actually, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a problem that wears No. 41, and it’s getting harder to ignore.

The third-year linebacker from NC State logged a team-high 126 tackles last season. That’s real production. But dig a little deeper and you’ll find a glaring weakness the coaching staff can’t afford to overlook heading into 2026.

The Coverage Gap

According to Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton, Wilson is the player most likely to become Pittsburgh’s biggest bust this year. The reasoning is pretty straightforward: he’s a liability in pass coverage. Opposing quarterbacks posted a 104.7 passer rating when targeting Wilson, and he gave up two touchdowns through the air. For a defense that already deals with Patrick Queen’s own coverage issues, that’s a double problem.

Wilson has started just four games in two seasons despite playing in all 34. He’s logged over 1,200 defensive snaps and another 632 on special teams. But snaps don’t mean trust. And right now, the coaching staff can’t trust him on obvious passing downs.

Moton put it bluntly: Wilson has the traits to earn a two-down role in run support, but his coverage lapses could limit his playing time. That’s not what you want from a third-round pick entering year three.

What a Leap Looks Like

The linebacker room isn’t deep enough to bench Wilson outright. Queen has his own inconsistencies. But the Steelers brought in Mike McCarthy to replace Mike Tomlin, and new head coaches tend to make roster decisions based on what they see, not draft pedigree.

Wilson’s 126 tackles last season look great on a stat sheet. Six for loss, two sacks, one interception. But the tape tells a different story on third down. If he can’t show improvement in coverage during camp, the team might start looking for other options — either through free agency or the draft.

There’s still time. Year three is when a lot of young defenders figure it out. But the margin for error is shrinking fast. If Wilson takes that leap, Pittsburgh has a great young duo in the middle of its defense. If he doesn’t, the Steelers will be looking for a new linebacker by October.