Steelers Finally Have Big Role Identified For Controversial Rookie

The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the more interesting teams in the NFL entering the 2026 season. It is very hard to imagine what this team might look like, and that is especially interesting as there is a new head coach in Pittsburgh for the first time since the 2007 season. This is a big change for the franchise as Mike McCarthy comes into the fold, and his hiring was initially not loved by the fans. The fan base has seemed to come around on the head coach due to his ability to coach up the offensive side of the ball, and he has plenty of new weapons to use after the 2026 NFL Draft.

McCarthy is known for his work with quarterbacks, and he is going to be working closely with rookie quarterback Drew Allar and second-year quarterback Will Howard. However, he also has some other young weapons to work with on offense. One is obviously wide receiver Germie Bernard, but the other is fourth-round pick Kaden Wetjen. Wetjen was a surprise selection as the wideout was drafted in the fourth round out of Iowa, and he was mostly known for his skills as a return man in college.

Beat writer Ray Fittipaldo joined 93.7 The Fan on Monday morning, and he was asked if there is a competition to be the starting returner in Pittsburgh or if the job is going to be Wetjen's.

"Well, you use a fourth-round pick on a guy, he better be able to make your [53-man roster] as a rookie," Fittipaldo said. "So, I definitely think he's going to be on their 53 as a special teamer. He's probably going to be like [Eli] Heidenreich when it comes to what his role is going to be on offense. Even at Iowa where you would think a talented guy like that might be part of the offense, he was kind of on the outskirts. I think Mike McCarthy is going to have to get creative there. Obviously, he would fit in as a slot guy, a guy you would use on maybe some jet sweeps, take advantage of his speed and elusiveness. But yeah, you use a fourth-round draft pick on a guy, he better be your starting punt returner."

Fittipaldo sees Wetjen being Pittsburgh's starting punt returner and one of the returners that is back on kickoffs. He was an All-American in each of the last two seasons due to his abilities as a returner, and Pittsburgh reached for him. There is no clear role for him on offense, which means he better break out as the team's best returner.

Wetjen is listed as a wide receiver, but the most he would be used is probably on jet sweeps or in the screen game. His primary role should be as a returner. His main competition in that regard will likely be guys like Eli Heidenreich and Donte Kent, but Wetjen should be the frontrunner as he was a fourth-round selection.

It would be nice to see McCarthy get a little bit creative with Wetjen on the offensive side of the football. Pittsburgh has been missing some interesting sorts of innovation on offense, and it is fair to say that the coach has all of the weapons to get creative.

Steelers Shocked Kaden Wetjen By Picking Him

Video was released after Wetjen was drafted by the Steelers in the fourth round, and he was very surprised to get the call. He was busy golfing as he didn't think he would be drafted until later on in the day, but he wound up going in the fourth. It was a bizarre selection for a player that seems to strictly be a returner, but that could work out for Pittsburgh. 

He holds the Iowa record for the most combined return touchdowns, and the Steelers would love a few of those in 2026.

What do you think about Fittipaldo's comments on Wetjen? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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