Will Howard vs. Mason Rudolph, Roman Wilson vs. Germie Bernard, Max Iheanachor vs. Dylan Cook. Those are some of the high-profile Steelers training camp battles that have dominated offseason discussion. But the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo recently highlighted another competition flying under the radar — rookies Kaden Wetjen and Eli Heidenreich.
“They’re gonna have to carve out roles for Wetjen and Heidenreich if Heidenreich makes the team,” Fittipaldo said via 93.7 The Fan’s Pomp and Joe Show. “Those guys are terrific athletes…This is what they do well, we have to figure out how to use them, because they’re smaller players. They’re not gonna run deep down the field and make plays for you in that way.
“I know the coaches were excited about Wetjen and Heidenreich even though both those guys in college had more specific roles, Wetjen more of a returner. But look, if you’re gonna be on a 53 in the NFL, you’re gonna have to learn how to play on the offense, too. So I think that’s why that’s gonna be an intriguing camp battle as well between those two.”
Heidenreich returned 10 total punts and kicks throughout his college career, all during the 2024 season. He likely won’t be direct competition for that return specialist role, but his path to the roster is still related to Wetjen.
Heidenreich worked more with the running backs throughout the spring, but he did more of his damage through the air in college as an offensive weapon and focal point for the Navy offense. If Heidenreich wants to make the roster, he has to prove he’s a bigger offensive asset than Wetjen.
If Wetjen can successfully provide depth to the wide receiver room as a gadget option in McCarthy’s offense, there would be less of a case to keep somebody like Heidenreich around. Especially if the Steelers aren’t ready to move on from 2025 third-round RB Kaleb Johnson, the numbers crunch will create a lot of pressure on Heidenreich.
Based on their college resumes, Heidenreich has a good chance. Wetjen was a non-factor in Iowa’s offense while Heidenreich was a standout. But Wetjen showed enough during the East-West Shrine Bowl to prove he can be more than just a return specialist.
Expect the Steelers to give Heidenreich opportunities with both the running back and wide receiver groups throughout training camp, and of course a healthy dose of experimenting with him on special teams. Could he be an option for the other kick returner opposite Wetjen? Pittsburgh needs to find that out.
That’s what makes this battle so intriguing. It’s not a typical two dogs, one bone situation. It’s more about which rookie can convince the coaching staff they deserve a unique role on offense. Wetjen enters camp with the clearer path, but if Heidenreich can prove he’s more than just a hybrid back and carve out a niche on offense and special teams, he could force the Steelers to keep both.
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