Steelers Rookie Roman Wilson Has One 2024 Game Already Circled On His Schedule

The Pittsburgh Steelers welcomed seven rookies to the professional football world during the 2024 NFL Draft. Four out of the seven are expected to make a difference in the trenches, but in year one, none may be more important than University of Michigan standout Roman Wilson. The wide receiver position is currently in flux due to a trade that sent Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers. After winning a National Championship with the Wolverines, Wilson will strive to reach the peak of football glory and capture a Super Bowl Title with the Steelers.

Wilson is likely to be thrown right into the fire in his first season. George Pickens is the unquestioned number one wideout on the roster, but everything after him currently remains a mystery. Defenses will want to make other players beat them and do this by doubling Pickens consistently. That will leave the door wide open for someone like Wilson to shine.

Pittsburgh is set to have one of the toughest schedules in the NFL in 2024, which will not make things easy for the incoming rookie class. When speaking with Kevin Adams and Jersey Jerry of the Steel Here podcast, the first-year wide receiver was asked about the daunting 17-game stretch and it's no surprise as to which game he already has circled on his schedule.

"Definitely Chargers. That's my team right there. I'm waiting for that one," Wilson said.

The co-hosts chuckled completely understanding why Wilson was so quick to answer the question. His former collegiate coach Jim Harbaugh is now at the helm for the Los Angeles Chargers. Wilson will want to go out there and put on a show against his former coach's new team. It's simply a bonus that the game will be played at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.

Some may just think of the Harbaugh connection as to why Wilson wants the Chargers game to come sooner rather than later, but he has more than just his former coach to look forward to playing. Los Angeles drafted Michigan linebacker Junior Colson in the third round and wide receiver Cornelius Johnson in the seventh. Wilson could even get a matchup or two against Colson if both are lining up in the slot.

Steelers fans won't disagree with Wilson. The wideout will want to win with his team while beating his old school's former coach, but a sweet victory over John Harbaugh's brother is never something that can be boring in Pittsburgh. It should be a game of running the football as Pittsburgh has made it clear that's what the goal is while Jim Harbaugh loves to win in the trenches, just as he did at Michigan.

The AFC isn't going to get any easier in 2024, especially with the addition of Jim Harbaugh. Each contest matters and the Steelers' 7-5 conference record was a big reason why the team was able to go 10-7 overall and sneak into the playoffs in 2023. It's hard to realize just how important every game is, but the Chargers and Steelers contest will be another crucial in-conference game. Targeting Wilson in the passing game, who will have a little extra chip on his shoulder, won't be a bad idea.

Steelers Will Need Several Rookies To Step Up In 2024

Regardless of which week it is in the 2024 NFL season, each game brings a new storyline and level of importance. Based on how Pittsburgh drafted, their first three picks could have a significant impact on many contests throughout their rookie campaigns. Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier and Wilson have a lot of hype to live up to. The trio could be together for the next decade in the Steel City if all goes to plan.

Are you excited to see the Steelers play the Chargers and Jim Harbaugh in 2024?