Steelers' Electric Rookie Has One Dangerous Habit That Can Erase Everything Else

The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted one of college football's most dangerous return specialists because putting the ball in his hands can change field position in a hurry. Two preseason outings into that individual's NFL career, special teams coordinator Danny Crossman has identified the flip side of that equation. The electricity is useful only if the football finishes the trip with him.

Kaden Wetjen received a dramatically different review from Crossman after Pittsburgh's 17-0 loss to the New York Jets than he did following the preseason opener. The fourth-round rookie nearly lost a fumble on one punt return Friday night and later bobbled another opportunity, turning what is supposed to be one of his safest traits into the primary item on this week's correction list.

That contrast is especially striking because Crossman praised Wetjen's decision-making only a week earlier. After the 28-9 victory over the Green Bay Packers, the coordinator said the rookie had handled the different return situations well, including stealing field position by making smart choices on balls that ultimately became touchbacks. The Steelers' return operation committed too many penalties that evening, but Wetjen himself largely earned positive marks.

Friday supplied the correction.

During a recent media availability, Crossman made it clear that ball security has jumped to the front of Wetjen's developmental checklist.

“Ball security is right now… He made some really good decisions in Week 1. [Friday], maybe not as many good decisions," Crossman said. Most importantly, the most important aspect is come away with every possession with the football. And, you know, we were loose on one, one came out on the sideline. So, we just got to make sure we’re getting that nailed down. That can’t ever be an issue."

The final five words explain why the standard is so unforgiving. A receiver can run the wrong route in August and live to correct it on film. A returner can choose the wrong lane and cost the offense a few yards. Putting a punt on the ground creates an entirely different category of problem because one mistake can hand possession directly back to the opponent.

It also strikes at something Crossman considered a strength long before Wetjen ever wore a Steelers helmet. After Pittsburgh selected him 121st overall, the coordinator specifically praised his “great decisions” and “good ball security” while explaining why the organization viewed him as its top dual-return prospect. Wetjen arrived from Iowa after averaging 17.7 yards per punt return and 27.5 per kickoff return across his college career, with six combined return touchdowns.

The rookie's electric preseason debut showed why Pittsburgh was willing to spend a fourth-round selection on a specialist. Wetjen caught two passes for 79 yards against Green Bay, including a 74-yard catch-and-run, and later hauled in a five-yard touchdown. His return opportunities were less spectacular, but Crossman liked the decisions attached to them.

Then came New York, where the ball suddenly looked a little less cooperative.

Wetjen's job is different from that of a developmental receiver who can disappear into the back of the position group while polishing his craft. Pittsburgh drafted him largely to handle punts and kickoffs immediately. Those plays put him alone underneath a descending football while 21 other players begin arriving with various unpleasant intentions. There is not much room for a confidence crisis in the job description.

The good news is that the Steelers have already seen the correct version. Crossman's Week 1 praise was not theoretical, and Wetjen's college résumé contains years of evidence that he can handle return duties at a high level. One shaky exhibition does not erase that background any more than one 74-yard reception turned him into Pittsburgh's newest star wideout.

It does narrow the focus entering the preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills. Wetjen does not necessarily need a touchdown return or another enormous offensive play to make Crossman happy. A much quieter evening could accomplish more if every punt is fielded cleanly, each decision is decisive and the ball returns to the sideline still attached to him.

Head Coach Mike McCarthy has already pushed Wetjen to clean up the mental details of his everyday work after an inconsistent camp. Ball security now gives that demand a physical component. The rookie can be fast, explosive and versatile, but none of those adjectives survive very long on a coach's compliment sheet if “fumbles” gets written beside them.

Steelers Need Wetjen's Big-Play Ability

Pittsburgh's investment makes Wetjen an important piece of its special-teams plan, but draft position does not lower the standard for the person handling possession-changing plays. If anything, selecting a return specialist in the fourth round shows how badly the organization wanted someone it could trust with those opportunities.

Crossman has been remarkably consistent about what he values. Before the season, he praised Wetjen's decisions and security. After Week 1, he highlighted those decisions again. When both slipped against New York, he did not need an elaborate explanation for what comes next.

Wetjen still has the ability to flip the field with one cut, and his preseason opener showed he can provide offensive juice beyond special teams. Pittsburgh would love to explore all of it. First, the rookie has to restore the trait that allows every other part of his game to exist.

A returner can survive choosing the wrong lane. He can even survive an ugly night. The football hitting the grass is where Crossman's patience ends.

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