The Pittsburgh Steelers have added Carson Bruener to their roster, selecting him in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The linebacker, who played college football at the University of Washington, was picked with the 226th overall selection.
During his time with the Huskies, Bruener participated in 52 games and accumulated a total of 306 tackles, including 180 solo tackles. His record also includes 10 tackles for a loss, one and a half sacks, 14 passes defensed, and four forced fumbles. Notably, he excelled on special teams—a role he anticipates will be beneficial as he transitions to professional football.
“Special teams is something I started playing at the University of Washington early in my career and is something I embrace and really fell in love with,” said Bruener. “It’s something I have been able to do my whole career and excel at. I know that is something I am going to be able to bring to Pittsburgh for sure.”
Throughout his college career, Bruener played under three different head coaches and six defensive coordinators but remained a consistent presence on defense. He served as team captain in 2024 when Washington entered the Big Ten conference.
Bruener received consensus third-team All-Big Ten honors from both coaches and media. He was also the only player from Washington invited to attend the NFL Combine in 2025.
Carson Bruener has familial ties to Pittsburgh; his father, Mark Bruener, was drafted by the Steelers in the first round of the 1995 NFL Draft and now works as a scout for the team. When Carson was drafted by Pittsburgh, he shared a unique connection with his father by being at their family home along Washington’s coast—sitting in the same spot where his father sat when he was selected by the Steelers three decades ago.
