Rookie linebacker Carson Bruener was drafted by the Steelers in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft and quickly established himself as a special teams standout.
Bruener's impact was felt league-wide as he was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie team as a special teamer.
He finished the regular season with 19 special teams tackles, second on the team, including seven solo stops.
"I know that's my role that was given to me for right now, and it's something I've taken on with full pride and confidence in my ability to go out there and make plays," said Bruener of playing special teams. "I feel like that's the biggest thing, especially as a young guy.
"And I take it on. Some people might think start slow, don't make mistakes. That doesn't allow you to go make plays. I know what I'm supposed to do."
Bruener knows there is a certain mentality you must have to play special teams, as you are often giving it all for just a handful of plays every game.
"I feel like the biggest attitude is, just screw it," said Bruener. "Don't think about your body, don't think about the person in front of you.
"Just find ball, get ball, tackle.
"That's the biggest thing. You've got to have aggression. You've got to have passion out there. You can't just go through the motions because everyone in the NFL, no matter special teams, defense, offense, everyone's here for a reason, everyone's good. If you go and you take a play off, then you're not going to be able to succeed."
Bruener knows special teams isn't always the aspect of the game people are tuning in for, but he also knows how important they are.
"I feel sometimes special teams is overlooked," said Bruener. "I talk to my family, and sometimes they say watching the games on television is hard because sometimes during a commercial one of our plays happen, a kickoff or kickoff return.
"But at the end of the day, a lot of people overlook it. But for me, it's just as important as any other play in football."
Bruener played college football at Washington where he appeared in 52 games. He finished with 306 tackles, 180 of them solo stops, 10 tackles for a loss, one and a half sacks, 14 passes defensed and four forced fumbles. In 2024, Bruener appeared in 13 games, finishing with 104 tackles, including 60 solo stops. He added three interceptions, eight passes defensed and a forced fumble.
