Rookie linebacker Carson Bruener has been named to the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) All-Rookie team as a special teamer. Bruener, who was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, quickly became recognized for his contributions on special teams.
During the regular season, Bruener recorded 19 special teams tackles, ranking second on the team. Of those tackles, seven were solo efforts.
“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 about his responsibilities on 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 described the mindset needed for success in this area of play: “I feel like the biggest attitude is, just screw it,” he said. “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.”
He also addressed how special teams are sometimes undervalued: “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.”
