Wheel Route...why is it called that?

Here is my guess. Rb 'wheels' out of the backfield, route is rounded off like a wheel or semi- circle. That's my take on it.
Cheers!

Don't know why it's called that, but I'm pretty sure it's Will.

Most teams view it as a deep route run by an inside receiver or RB. with the basic technique being to drive towards the flats and then round the route up field after the receiver clears the outside receiver. The name is primarily to remind the receiver that the route, at its break, should be rounded. The purpose of the route is to attack man coverage or take advantage of a zone corner over playing the outside receiver who is typically running an inside breaking route (slant, curl, snag, post are some examples). Teams that have the route within their main collection of passing concepts will teach the receiver to settle down after pushing vertical if he sees over the top coverage by a soft corner or rotating safety.