Steelers' Hidden Gem Could Be A Captain Candidate In Years To Come

The Pittsburgh Steelers have many pending free agents this 2026 offseason. A variety of them include quality special teamers, including the likes of James Pierre and Connor Heyward. Pittsburgh needs to address its special teams this offseason, especially with the departure of its longtime special teams coordinator, Danny Smith. This third phase of the game has been a consistent unit for the Black and Gold, and a point of emphasis from the organization should be to retain its pedigree. In turn, a rookie has taken huge strides in providing a future for the unit and is considered a rising star on special teams. His impact could be huge for the franchise's future. 

Carson Bruener has taken the Steelers and the league by surprise with his production during his rookie season. Bruener was a huge factor in 2025 and earned PFWA All-Rookie Second Team honors as a special teamer. He is a second-generation Steeler as his father was a former first-round pick for Pittsburgh. Bruener put up 19 total tackles with seven solo and 12 assists in his rookie campaign. He proved to be extremely effective in his role in the Steelers' coverage units. Bruener is a consistent tackler and provides a huge amount of depth. 

The Washington standout was drafted in the seventh round by Pittsburgh with pick 226 in 2025. He has played well above his draft spot and is providing a ton of value for the Steelers. The linebacker put up great numbers in his four years at Washington, including his senior season in 2024 where he accrued 104 total tackles and three interceptions. The Steelers took a chance on Bruener, and it's proving to pay off. 

Steelers beat writer Ray Fittipaldo believes that Bruener has a huge trajectory and can continue his success in the Steelers organization. 

"Carson Bruener is on the ascend. He's a really good special teams player already. I don't know what his future is as a linebacker in the NFL, but if he just plays the way he did for the next eight to 10 years, he's going to be special teams captain one day," said Fittipaldo. 

This high praise comes at the perfect time, as the Steelers' special teams captain of 2025, Miles Killebrew, is looking to be on the way out. This leaves a huge hole on special teams as other Steelers free agents played a huge role on special teams too. Bruener will have to continue his play from 2025 heading into next season if the Steelers want to maintain their elite status as a group. 

Killebrew has been the Steelers' special teams captain for the past four seasons and has been an extremely productive member of the unit. He is testing the market this offseason, despite a season-ending ACL tear in 2025. Killebrew has earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods for his services in Pittsburgh; however, the Steelers are more than likely going to move on from him. This requires guys like Bruener to step into a more increased role. The team will need another big producer, like Killebrew, who can block punts and make big tackles in coverage. 

The Steelers' Special Teams Unit Is Undergoing A Big Change

Pittsburgh is under a new coaching regime under Head Coach Mike McCarthy. With McCarthy is a new special teams coordinator, Danny Crossman. Crossman is an NFL veteran coach who has been a coordinator with a few other organizations. With the probable loss of their captain and potential big-time players like Pierre and Heyward, the unit is undergoing a big change, at least in coverage. 

Players like Payton Wilson and Bruener will have to come up big. The Steelers could be in the market for a high-quality special teamer with the loss of Killebrew. For certain, the unit will see a change in terms of a new voice. The unit had been coached by Smith for 13 seasons. However, the team has the pieces to remain among the top coverage units, and one of those is a hidden gem who could be one of the premier players of the unit for years to come in Bruener. 

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