How Carson Bruener is forcing his way onto the Steelers' defense

When second-year linebacker Carson Bruener made his mark on special teams as a rookie, Pittsburgh Steelers fans took notice. But as the 2026 preseason unfolds, Bruener is proving he offers far more than kick-coverage value; he is aggressively pushing for a role on the defensive side of the ball.

Speaking on “The Snap Count” podcast, co-host and former Steelers offensive lineman Trai Essex highlighted the young linebacker’s development following an impactful defensive performance against the New York Jets.

"Carson Bruener, dude, one of the guys we've been talking about as making that big jump in his second year," Essex said. "Undrafted guy last year. Made a big splash on special teams. But he wants to put his hand in the pile as far as contributing on the defensive side of the ball."

For Bruener, who was actually a 7th-round pick in 2025, rather than undrafted as Essex suggested, football excellence is part of his DNA. He is the son of former Steelers tight end Mark Bruener, a beloved figure in franchise history renowned for his physical, edge-setting blocking.

Co-host Charlie Batch addressed social media chatter about the younger Bruener's spot on the squad, dismissing any notion of favoritism.

"Somebody on Twitter said, 'I can't believe Charlie called his dad a Steelers great.' Well, that means you're unfamiliar with Mark Bruener. One of the best blocking tight ends of all time," Batch recalled. "This is not a gimme type of organization. If you had 'it' in your bloodline, coaches will turn around and bring you on a roster because they understand you have that fight inside of you. That's why Carson is here."

With key defensive stops and disruptive pass-rush reps against the Jets, Bruener is demonstrating that his work ethic aligns with his pedigree. If he maintains this momentum through the preseason finale, he won't just lock down his 53-man roster spot; he will earn meaningful defensive snaps come Week 1.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: How Carson Bruener is forcing his way onto the Steelers' defense