The Pittsburgh Steelers spent a significant part of the offseason searching for wide receiver help, fueling conversation and concern among fans and media. However, former NFL head coach and current analyst Jon Gruden is dismissing the idea that the team lacks receiving firepower.
During his AFC North preview for Barstool Sports, Gruden expressed confidence in the Steelers’ current wide receiver group, particularly rookie Roman Wilson.
“The guy I’m most excited about… I freaking love Roman Wilson,” Gruden said. “I loved him at Michigan… The guy’s a hell of a player. So if they go 11 personnel, you’re gonna see Calvin Austin, George Pickens, and I think you’re gonna see a lot of Roman Wilson.”
Gruden noted that the prevailing skepticism is something the team’s coaching staff embraces.
“Their receiver coach, Zach Azzanni, he’s a good friend of mine. He loves this because everybody right now is saying, ‘Hey, the Steelers don’t have any wideouts.’ Bull****,” Gruden stated. “Wait until you see Roman Wilson. And I know George Pickens, and I know that Calvin Austin used strategically can really be a force.”
The team’s front office appears to share this confidence. After exploring options, including visits with free agent Gabe Davis, the Steelers ultimately chose to rely on their internal talent to complement star receiver George Pickens. General manager Omar Khan has consistently praised both Wilson and Austin.
Following a summer where Austin missed time with an oblique injury and Wilson showed flashes of potential amid rookie inconsistencies, the young receiving corps will have its first major test in Week 1. With new quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields at the helm, they will have every opportunity to validate the faith placed in them by the organization and prove Gruden’s bold prediction correct.
