Kaden Wetjen, a fourth-round pick who entered the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason as one of their most intriguing rookies, is reportedly “on the bubble” to make the final 53-man roster. That’s the word from insider Mark Kaboly, a correspondent for The Pat McAfee Show, who discussed Wetjen’s outlook on 93.7 The Fan this past Friday. If this happens, it would be a genuinely shocking development, especially after seeing what this kid can do!
Explosive Debut Versus The Packers
Seriously, you remember the buzz from Wetjen’s preseason debut, right? The dude exploded onto the scene in Pittsburgh’s 28-9 victory over the Green Bay Packers. He hauled in two passes for 79 yards, including a touchdown that had everyone buzzing. The biggest play of that night was an absolutely electric 74-yard reception, a play that screamed, “Hey, I’ve got explosive speed, remember me?” This is exactly why the Steelers drafted him 121st overall in the fourth round. His college tape at Iowa was insane, averaging 17.7 yards per punt return with four touchdowns and 27.5 yards per kickoff return with two touchdowns. He showed that value right away against the Packers, too, racking up 61 yards on three kickoff returns and another 10 yards on two punt returns. He looked like the real deal, a special teams beast ready to make splash plays.
A Quiet Night Against The Jets
Then came the second preseason outing against the New York Jets, and man, it was a totally different story. Pittsburgh got shut out 17-0 on Friday night, a tough watch for anyone expecting more fireworks. While it was another chance for young players fighting for roster spots, Wetjen just didn’t replicate any of those splash plays that immediately put him on the radar against Green Bay. His return numbers were way down, averaging only 7.2 yards on four punt returns. And then, the kicker: he lost a fumble in the third quarter. Not ideal, to say the least. Plus, he didn’t even catch a pass in that game. The Packers game showcased exactly why they picked him, but the Jets game? That was a stark reminder that one incredible preseason performance doesn’t automatically guarantee you a spot. It’s tough out there!
This rookie’s journey has been a rollercoaster so far, and now it all comes down to one last chance. Wetjen has the Steelers’ preseason finale against Buffalo still ahead. This is his final shot to strengthen his case and remind Pittsburgh why they drafted him, especially with those explosive return skills, before final roster decisions are made. Talk about high stakes for a fourth-round pick!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Behind the Steel Curtain.
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