Ben Roethlisberger believes Markus Wheaton is Steelers x-factor
Keep your eyes peeled for second-year receiver Markus Wheaton when the Pittsburgh Steelers take the field against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night in their third preseason game.
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Wheaton struggled at the close of his rookie season and was a non-factor with zero receptions in the final six weeks, but quarterback Ben Roethlisberger thinks he will be a pleasant surprise this year opposite No. 1 receiver Antonio Brown.
"“He’s a young guy people don’t know about yet,” Roethlisberger said, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “He hasn’t earned that respect, which is probably rightfully so, because he hasn’t done much. But I’m excited for him because I think he’s going to surprise a lot of people.”"
Wheaton will have to be a big factor in the passing game this year with Emmanuel Sanders now with the Denver Broncos and fourth round pick Martavis Bryant not yet ready to assume a significant role in the offense.
The deep speed that Wheaton has could be exactly what the Pittsburgh offense has lacked since Mike Wallace signed a big free agent deal with the Miami Dolphins and draw some attention from Brown and open up some running lanes for Le’Veon Bell and Legarrette Blount.
“He’s learning and growing fast, and we need him to,” Roethlisberger said. “That’s what’s great about him. He doesn’t make the same mistake twice. He’s busting his butt every day in practice. … He puts that work in. He’s watched (Brown). He knows what it takes to be a pro.”