The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2026 season with the kind of roster overhaul that usually signals a full reset. Aaron Rodgers is reportedly the new quarterback. Mike McCarthy, an offensive-minded head coach, is running the show for the first time in Pittsburgh in decades. The franchise signed Michael Pittman Jr. and Rico Dowdle. On paper, the ceiling looks higher than it has in years.
But the real story of the 2026 season might not come from the big names. It might come from two players who barely registered on the national radar — and who, for very different reasons, are positioned to flip the narrative for a team in transition.
Roman Wilson: The Third-Year Slot Receiver Who Keeps Waiting for His Shot
Roman Wilson hasn’t had a normal start to his NFL career. The third-round pick out of Michigan in the 2024 draft missed nearly all of his rookie season with a hamstring injury. In 2025, he finally got on the field — and when he did, he showed real flashes. Four catches for 74 yards and a touchdown against the Packers on Sunday Night Football. Two more catches and another score against the Chargers weeks later. He finished the season with 12 receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns on just 21 targets, averaging 13.8 yards per reception.
The efficiency was there. The opportunity was not.
Now, heading into his third year, the pieces are lining up. McCarthy’s offense historically favors slot-speed weapons and multi-level route runners — exactly Wilson’s profile. According to Steeler Nation, Wilson’s only real competition for the WR3 role is rookie Germie Bernard. That’s the clearest path to consistent snaps he’s ever had.
Ben Roethlisberger, the former Steelers quarterback, made his feelings clear on his podcast: “What are we doing with Roman Wilson?” He called Wilson a player who deserves a real chance. Heading into 2026, finally healthy and in a system that values what he does, the ingredients are all there for a breakout.
Kaleb Johnson: From Special Teams Nightmare to Forgotten Weapon
Kaleb Johnson’s rookie season was, by his own admission, a disaster. The Steelers took him in the third round of the 2025 draft out of Iowa, where he had one of the most dominant single seasons in program history — 1,537 rushing yards and 23 total touchdowns in 2024, earning All-American honors. He arrived with legitimate three-down potential.
Then Week 2 happened. A kickoff bounced into the end zone. Johnson misplayed it. The Seahawks recovered for a touchdown. He was in the doghouse from that point forward. He finished with just 69 rushing yards on 28 carries and was a healthy scratch for the final three games.
Year 2 is shaping up differently. With Kenneth Gainwell gone and a new coaching staff in place, Johnson showed up to OTAs earning first-team repetitions and drawing praise. Beat writer Jim Wexell noted that Johnson “seems like a player eager to rectify past errors” and that “his ability to catch passes has significantly improved.” Sports Illustrated called him “the forgotten second-year weapon” for Pittsburgh — a player who was expected to contribute immediately in 2025 but never got the chance.
Behind Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle, Johnson may not lead the backfield in carries. But in a receiving and change-of-pace role, his Iowa pedigree and explosive athleticism make him one of the most intriguing under-the-radar names in the AFC North.
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