The Pittsburgh Steelers addressed the wide receiver position and special teams in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Iowa Hawkeyes Kaden Wetjen 121st overall. The 24-year-old Wetjen was one of the top return specialists in the nation, totaling 1,538 kick return yards and two touchdowns with the Hawkeyes, along with 954 punt return yards and four touchdowns, including 476 kick return yards and a touchdown and 563 punt return yards and three touchdowns in 2025. However, he wasn’t very effective as a receiver, recording 197 career receiving yards and one touchdown, including 20 receptions for 151 yards and a touchdown as a senior.
Wetjen will compete for both return jobs with last season’s primary kick returner, Kenneth Gainwell, a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and primary punt returner, Calvin Austin III, now with the New York Giants.
Pittsburgh Steelers ink standout return specialist with 4-year deal
Pittsburgh Steelers, Kaden Wetjen
Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Kaden Wetjen (21) returns a punt to the endzone against the Michigan State Spartans Nov. 22, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
The Steelers announced they have signed Kaden Wetjen to a rookie contract. Spotrac projects the wide receiver and return specialists contract to be worth $5.371 million with cap hits of $1.166 million in 2026, $1.286 million in 2027, $1.401 million in 2028, and $1.516 million in 2029. In addition, Wetjen could earn more in Year 4 if he averages over 35% more of offensive snaps or makes the Pro Bowl on the original ballot from Proven Performance Escalators.
Lance Zierlein
Mar 2, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; NFL Network Draft media analyst Lance Zierlein during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
“Wetjen is a return specialist first and foremost. He’s a threat to flip the field at any time as a punt returner. He eludes or breaks the first tackle try and maneuvers around opponents in the open field with great vision. Better hang-time and faster contain should slow his production, but he’ll still be a threat. He can handle pitch plays and swing passes from the backfield or shallow crossers and over routes as a slot receiver. Wetjen offers immediate value as a returner, while a crafty play-caller is likely to install packaged plays for him each week.”
He projects as an average backup or special-teamer.
Also Read: Pittsburgh Steelers: Sign Special Teams Standout for 2026