Steelers Break Down Their Vision For NFL Fan-Favorite Rookie Eli Heidenreich

When the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Eli Heidenreich out of Navy with the 230th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft, it quickly became one of the most memorable moments of the weekend. With the draft taking place in Pittsburgh for the first time and Heidenreich growing up as a Steelers fan in nearby Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania, the selection felt like something straight out of a movie.

For Heidenreich, the moment represented a full-circle opportunity. The versatile offensive weapon carved out a unique role during his time with the Midshipmen, building a reputation as one of the most dynamic and unconventional playmakers in program history thanks to his ability to impact games in multiple ways. It's not often that the Midshipmen throw the football, but because of Heidenreich's talent, he forced them to.

Although making Pittsburgh’s 53-man roster as a seventh-round pick will be an uphill battle, the Steelers already appear to have a clear vision for how Heidenreich can fit into the organization. Special teams coordinator Danny Crossman spoke to reporters on Tuesday and shed light on the team’s plans for the fan-favorite rookie as he begins his NFL journey. 

"He is going to get looked at just like all of the younger players in a multitude of ways," Crossman said while speaking to Pittsburgh media on Tuesday. "Obviously, because of Eli’s skill set where he was a ballhandler, those things do come into play, along with the other aspects. There is only one guy back there with the football, and that is the returner. If you are not that guy, what other skills can you bring to be able to make the club and be active on gamedays to participate?"

Heidenreich built a pretty historic college career during his time playing for the Midshipmen. 

Now, he’s looking to bring his unique skill set to Pittsburgh, and Crossman believes that he’s going to have plenty of chances to make an impact.

"He is a guy that will get looks as a coverage player, a protection player, and a return player," Crossman said.

The Steelers watched as Calvin Austin III walked in free agency, so they will now need to find their next return man. It seems like Heidenreich is certainly a player who could be considered there, along with Kaden Wetjen. It’s no secret that many feel like Pittsburgh may have reached a little when they drafted Wetjen. However, in this case, the selection was made because the Steelers clearly viewed his unique skill set as a return man to be that special.

Steelers Have Exciting Options On Special Teams

For Heidenreich, challenging for that job will not be easy, but both players could present exciting options. It sounds like he is going to have plenty of opportunities to make an impact and fight for a spot on the 53-man roster. For now, Heidenreich will continue getting acclimated and learning under the new staff.

The Steelers appear to have several exciting options emerging on special teams as they evaluate their roster for the upcoming season. With new and versatile additions, the team is looking to find players who can contribute immediately in return and coverage roles. Competition for the return specialist job is expected to be strong, giving multiple young players a chance to prove themselves. As training camp approaches, Pittsburgh’s special teams unit could become one of the more intriguing battles to watch.

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