For seventh-round rookies, special teams is an excellent way to make your way onto a roster or possibly stick around for a full season. That’s the playbook linebacker Carson Bruener followed last year.
Bruener played in all 17 games, yet only had one defensive snap. But his couple hundred snaps on special teams kept him in the flow of things, and he made good use of them.
Every player looks to take a step forward in their second season. For Bruener, that means some extra work on defense.
“He played well last year at the special teams game. Now, the added element is to take that next step. Can he now steal some snaps away from another linebacker?” Charlie Batch asked this week on his Snap Count podcast. “Keep your nose in the playbook, don’t say much, and go out there and let your play speak for itself. And that’s where Bruener can surprise a lot of people in that rotation in the linebacker group. So I’m excited for Bruener, entering into his second year, because I think he can contribute a lot more.”
First and foremost, the Steelers are still going to lean on Carson Bruener when it comes to special teams. It’s a role he played very well last year, and Pittsburgh lost some of its core special teamers this offseason. Players like Miles Killebrew, James Pierre and Connor Heyward are all gone. With a new coordinator, who already has respect for Bruener, he’s going to be someone the Steelers have high hopes for in that regard.
As any player does, Bruener wants to be at his natural position, as well. But at inside linebacker, there are a few names in his way.
Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson figure to remain the starting duo. Behind them are Cole Holcomb and Malik Harrison. Pittsburgh also brought in former first-round pick Jamin Davis recently.
Bruener has youth and some real use on special teams. That could push him over the likes of Harrison and Davis.
However, it’s going to be hard for him to overtake Queen and Wilson. Queen has played well over 2,000 snaps during his two years in Pittsburgh, rarely ever coming off the field. Wilson’s not been on the field as much, but as a former third-round pick who’s shown flashes, Wilson will get plenty of run, too.
Eventually, an opportunity may arise for Carson Bruener. He’s a talented, young player whose use on special teams will help keep him around. For now, he’ll need to continue to develop as a linebacker so he’s prepared when that chance does come.
Given how unpredictable injuries can be, you never know when that might happen. Batch thinks Bruener’s time could come as early as this season.
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