​Roman Wilson may not have piled up big numbers in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ opener; however, his role is starting to stand out to people watching the offense closely. The second-year receiver caught three of six targets for 26 yards against the Atlanta Falcons, yet former Steelers standout Merril Hoge came away impressed by what he saw from Wilson.That matters because Wilson is still finding his footing in an offense led by Aaron Rodgers. The veteran quarterback has made it clear that target totals do not drive his decisions. For Rodgers, getting open, executing the offense, and being where he is supposed to be matter far more.Roman Wilson Is Earning Aaron Rodgers’ Trust With Pittsburgh SteelersAug 24, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson (10) jokes with teammates during pre-game warmups before their game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY SportsHoge’s praise for Wilson came through Steelers Depot on September 18, when he explained why he could understand Rodgers’ growing trust in the young receiver.“I can see why Aaron trusts and likes him.”Roman Wilson Catching Merril Hoge’s Eye: ‘I Can See Why Aaron Trusts And Likes Him’ #Steelers#NFL#Pittsburghhttps://t.co/hgHy9KbMVK— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) September 18, 2026 The comment comes at an interesting point for Wilson. He received six targets in Week 1, behind only DK Metcalf among the Steelers’ wide receivers. Metcalf saw 10 targets, while Michael Pittman Jr. received three. Wilson finished with 26 yards and also had several drops that kept his stat line from looking better.Still, Rodgers wasn’t concerned about where Wilson ranked on the target sheet. When asked about Wilson’s target count, Rodgers said, “I don’t give a sh*t about the target list. I don’t care about any of that.”Rodgers later explained why target numbers mean little to him. “Because the ball goes to the open guy,” he said, adding that players in the locker room are not sitting around discussing their individual target totals.That approach puts plenty of responsibility on Wilson. Rodgers expects receivers to read the defense, understand the communication, and execute their assignments without needing the quarterback to force the football to them.Former Steelers receiver Adam Thielen offered a glimpse into just how demanding that can be. Speaking on ESPN’s NFL Live, Thielen described Rodgers as stressful for receivers because of how much he relies on hand signals and adjustments.Thielen, who retired in January 2026 after playing the 2025 season with the Minnesota Vikings and the Steelers, also described Rodgers’ system as an offense within the offense. He said the playbook itself was not necessarily difficult, but learning Rodgers’ extensive hand-signal communication required significant time and effort.That makes Wilson’s development particularly important. If Hoge sees why Rodgers trusts