Steelers’ Kaden Wetjen Is Already Looking Like A Massive Draft Bust

The Pittsburgh Steelers invested a fourth-round pick in Iowa return specialist Kaden Wetjen during the 2026 NFL Draft to the dismay of many fans and analysts. Five weeks into the season, that investment is looking increasingly questionable.

Wetjen entered Pittsburgh with an impressive college resume and high expectations. Instead of providing the explosive returns the Steelers envisioned, the rookie has struggled to make a meaningful impact, leaving the team's return game among the worst in the NFL. With new head coach Mike McCarthy expressing concerns about special teams and questions emerging about Wetjen's role moving forward, the fourth-round pick is quickly becoming a disappointment. The Steelers currently rank last in the NFL in kickoff returns, 26th in punt returns, and 25th in average starting field position. Those numbers paint a concerning picture for a team that specifically used valuable draft capital to address its return game.

Wetjen has recorded 19 kickoff returns for 427 yards, averaging 22.5 yards per return and a long of just 27 yards. On punts, he has eight returns for just 69 yards, an average of 8.6 yards per return and a long of 17 yards. He has also yet to produce a regular season return touchdown. Those results fall well short of what Pittsburgh hoped to receive when it selected Wetjen 121st overall. He was widely regarded as one of the nation's top return specialists.

During a recent appearance on The PM Team w/Poni and Mueller, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Steelers reporter Ray Fittipaldo discussed Wetjen's situation and the team's plans for the upcoming game.

"McCarthy basically admitted that he's not really in their game planning plans for this week.... When Mike McCarthy came out and said the special teams has to improve, I think that there was a message sent there," Fittipaldo stated.

Those comments are particularly concerning for a fourth-round rookie who was drafted primarily to contribute on special teams. If Wetjen is struggling to produce as a returner and is not expected to have a significant role in the game plan with three receivers out to injury, his path to justifying Pittsburgh's investment becomes increasingly difficult to see. The Steelers need immediate improvement from their return units, and the coaching staff appears to be searching for answers. McCarthy's public emphasis on improving special teams suggests the current results are not meeting expectations.

For Wetjen, that creates additional pressure to prove he belongs in the role Pittsburgh envisioned for him. The biggest concern surrounding Wetjen is not simply that he has struggled during his first five NFL games. Rookies often need time to adjust to the speed, physicality, and complexity of professional football.

The problem is that Pittsburgh used a fourth-round selection on a specialist expected to make an immediate difference. A player drafted primarily for his return ability must provide value in that role. While the Steelers' blocking and overall special teams' execution deserve scrutiny, Wetjen's individual production has not been good enough to silence the criticism.

Steelers May Need To Pivot

Wetjen's limited offensive involvement also complicates the situation. Wetjen entered the league with considerably more experience as a returner than as a receiver, making his special teams production especially important to his value on the roster. If he cannot consistently generate positive returns, Pittsburgh will have to consider whether other options can give the team a better chance of improving its field position.

That does not mean Wetjen's career is already headed in the wrong direction permanently. Five games are a small sample, and the rookie still has time to develop. However, the Steelers cannot afford to wait indefinitely for a return specialist to start delivering results. The Steelers' struggles extend beyond one player, and it would be unfair to place the entire responsibility on Wetjen. Blocking, coaching, and execution have all contributed to the disappointing results.

Still, the rookie is a central part of the equation because Pittsburgh specifically drafted him to help solve these problems. Ranking last in kickoff returns, 26th in punt returns, and 25th in average starting field position is unacceptable for a team that expected to improve its field-position battle through the draft.

Fittipaldo's comments suggest Wetjen's place in the immediate game plan may be uncertain, while McCarthy's emphasis on special-teams improvement makes it clear that the current situation needs attention.

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