Steelers Receive Painful Kaden Wetjen Answer As WR Crisis Grows

The Pittsburgh Steelers need another receiver, but one rookie might not be the answer. Kaden Wetjen entered the season as an exciting return specialist with an opportunity to develop into something more. With Pittsburgh's receiver depth deteriorating, insider Gerry Dulac has offered a discouraging assessment of the former Iowa standout.

The Steelers are preparing for Tampa Bay without several familiar faces. Michael Pittman Jr. is on injured reserve with a foot injury, while Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek were injured during Sunday's 34-22 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. That leaves DK Metcalf and Germie Bernard carrying the burden, with few options behind them.

Wetjen would appear to be an obvious candidate for an expanded role, at least on paper. The fourth-round selection is already on the roster and listed as a receiver. However, when Dulac was asked how much the rookie could contribute to the depleted position group, his answer wasn't encouraging.

"Probably about as much as he has on kick returns," Dulac said.

Wetjen's numbers make the implication difficult to miss. Through five games, he has returned 19 kickoffs for 427 yards, averaging 22.5 yards per return, without a touchdown. His longest kickoff return has traveled 27 yards, and his eight punt returns have produced 69 yards.

The rookie hasn't been a disaster, but he hasn't delivered the explosive returns Pittsburgh envisioned. The Steelers have yet to see a kickoff return longer than 27 yards from him, and his offensive production is even more limited. Wetjen has not recorded a regular-season reception, leaving little evidence that he's ready to become a meaningful part of Aaron Rodgers' passing attack.

Dulac was subsequently asked whether his answer meant Wetjen simply isn't a good receiver. Rather than evaluate his route-running or hands, Dulac pointed to the opportunity in front of him. His response suggested this injury situation could be a revealing test of where Wetjen stands.

"Must tell you something, eh. If it doesn't happen this week, it's not going to happen at all," Dulac said.

That's a strong prediction in a league where circumstances change quickly. It shouldn't be mistaken for confirmation that the coaching staff has ruled Wetjen out as a receiver forever. Still, Dulac's point is understandable: if three established wideouts are unavailable and a healthy rookie still can't get meaningful offensive snaps, that would say plenty about the team's current confidence in him.

Steelers Face Unfortunate Decision About Kaden Wetjen's Offensive Role

Wetjen's college reputation was built primarily on his ability to change games in the return phase. The Steelers selected him in the fourth round knowing his special teams skills could help justify a roster spot while he developed offensively. His draft status naturally created expectations that he could eventually contribute beyond special teams. Becoming a reliable receiver, however, requires more than speed and open-field instincts.

Rodgers needs pass catchers who understand coverage adjustments, execute precise routes and arrive where they're expected to be. An emergency receiver who isn't comfortable with those responsibilities can create problems for an offense trying to win now. Pittsburgh might reasonably prefer an experienced practice-squad option rather than force Wetjen into a role he hasn't demonstrated he's ready to handle.

The Steelers shouldn't abandon his development. Wetjen is only five games into his professional career, and the team can still find ways to evaluate his receiving potential in practice. His immediate challenge is showing he can contribute somewhere beyond returning kicks, particularly when Pittsburgh is short on healthy options.

Bernard's emergence provides an encouraging contrast. The rookie caught six passes for 80 yards against Indianapolis and has already shown Rodgers he can handle an increased workload. Wetjen hasn't received a comparable opportunity, and Dulac appears skeptical that one is coming.

For Pittsburgh, the bigger concern is what this says about the depth chart. If the Steelers cannot turn to a healthy fourth-round receiver during an injury crisis, Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy may need to search outside the roster for reinforcements. Dulac's comments don't close the book on Wetjen's career, but they raise a difficult question about how much Pittsburgh can realistically expect from him right now.

Should the Pittsburgh Steelers give Kaden Wetjen a chance at wide receiver? Follow me on X @anthonyghalkias and let Steeler Nation know.

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