The Pittsburgh Steelers have built their reputation on finding value in places other teams overlook, and Carson Bruener could become another example of that if his development continues. Bruener was never expected to walk into Pittsburgh as an instant starter, but the early signs suggest he may have a real chance to become more than just a late-round special teams player.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Carson Bruener (left) with the rest of the team's inside linebackers after winning the AFC North in 2025.
The Steelers selected Bruener in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, which naturally made expectations more realistic. Seventh-round picks usually have to fight just to make the roster. They often need to provide immediate value on special teams, learn multiple roles, and prove they can survive the physical jump to the NFL before a team even considers giving them defensive snaps.
Bruener has already shown he can help in that first phase of the job. His special teams work has given him a clear path to staying on the roster, and that matters for a player trying to build trust inside a crowded linebacker room. The next question is whether he can eventually grow into a defender the Steelers can use in regular defensive packages.
Nick Farabaugh recently joined Chris Carter on Locked On Steelers and pointed to Bruener as a young player who could have a future beyond special teams.
“He’s got a shot to be, you know, like a good rotational piece,” Farabaugh said. “Maybe not a full-time starter, but if you get that out of a seventh-round pick, that’s a win.”
That is the right way to frame Bruener’s development. The Steelers do not need him to become the next great inside linebacker for the pick to work out. If he turns into a dependable rotational player who also helps on special teams, Pittsburgh will have found legitimate value late in the draft.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Patrick Queen celebrates with Payton Wilson during a win over the Miami Dolphins at home during the 2025 season.
The inside linebacker room gives Bruener an interesting opening over time. Patrick Queen remains the most established piece in the group, while Payton Wilson has the athletic profile Pittsburgh wants to develop. Cole Holcomb brings experience, and the Steelers have continued to look for depth at the position. Bruener is not being handed a role, but the path is not impossible.
What makes Bruener appealing is that he does not have to be a star to matter. Teams need linebackers who can handle limited snaps, communicate well, tackle cleanly, and avoid becoming weak spots when injuries hit. If Bruener can become that type of player, he gives Pittsburgh flexibility at a position where depth can disappear quickly during a long season.
The Steelers have already seen Bruener viewed as a potential hidden gem and future special teams leader, but the defensive side of his game is what could raise his ceiling. A special teams contributor has value. A special teams contributor who can also play real defensive snaps has staying power.
That is especially important for late-round picks. The Steelers have had plenty of players carve out roles without being premium selections. Those players help make a roster work. They allow a team to spend major resources elsewhere while still getting useful production from the bottom half of the depth chart.
Bruener’s background also fits the kind of player Pittsburgh tends to value. He was productive at Washington, brings a physical style, and has a family connection to the organization through his father, Mark Bruener. That connection alone does not earn him a job, but it does add to the natural fit. He understands what the Steelers value, and his playing style matches a team that wants toughness in the middle of the defense.
Steelers.com
Pittsburgh Steelers Special Teams Coordinator Danny Crossman speaking with the media.
The biggest challenge will be proving he can handle NFL offensive speed when he is asked to play defense. Special teams reps are valuable, but linebacker requires a different level of processing. Bruener has to diagnose run fits, handle coverage responsibilities, communicate adjustments, and avoid false steps against more complex offenses. That is where training camp and preseason snaps will matter.
If he can show he belongs in those situations, Pittsburgh may not have to look outside the building for every depth answer. That would be a strong development for a team trying to keep its defense younger and cheaper while still competing right away.
Steelers Could Have Valuable Depth Piece In Bruener
Bruener does not need a dramatic breakout to make this story matter. A steady climb would be enough. If he keeps producing on special teams and starts earning defensive trust, he can become the type of player who sticks around for years.
Farabaugh’s point is important because it keeps expectations realistic. A seventh-round pick becoming a full-time starter would be a massive win. A seventh-round pick becoming a useful rotational linebacker is still a very good outcome.
For the Steelers, that kind of development matters. Bruener can help on special teams now, but his long-term value will depend on whether he can become part of the defensive rotation. If he gets there, Pittsburgh may have found another late-round piece who quietly makes the roster stronger.
#SteelerNation