Kaden Wetjen needed exactly zero time to drop jaws in his very first NFL game. The Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver and return specialist absolutely erupted during Thursday night’s 28-9 preseason beatdown of the Green Bay Packers, snagging two passes for an insane 79 yards and punching in a touchdown! That explosive speed, the kind that made him one of college football’s most dangerous return specialists, was on full display. His performance wasn’t just good, it was legendary enough to get ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit screaming from the rooftops on The Pat McAfee Show, giving a full-blown endorsement of the former Iowa standout.
That 74-Yard Bomb Sparked Everything
Herbstreit didn’t hold back, calling Wetjen “a freak” and making it clear he’s hyped to see what the Steelers can pull off this year. And you know what? After watching this kid, it’s easy to see why. Wetjen’s biggest moment of the night was a ridiculous 74-yard catch-and-run, a beautiful connection with fellow rookie Drew Allar. Wetjen caught the ball in stride, hit the gas, and absolutely blazed deep into Green Bay territory. That single play told everyone he’s got value that extends way beyond just special teams. Later in the game, Allar and Wetjen hooked up again, this time for a tidy five-yard touchdown pass. It was a statement performance.
From Special Teams Gem to Offensive Firepower?
Here’s the kicker: Wetjen was picked by the Steelers at 121st overall, in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, primarily because of his special teams magic. Everyone knew he was one of the premier return specialists coming out of college. But let’s be real, his receiving production at Iowa was pretty limited, leaving some big questions about whether he could actually be a legitimate offensive contributor. Well, those questions just got a whole lot more interesting after this preseason debut, didn’t they? Wetjen also handled return duties against Green Bay, clocking three kickoff returns for 61 yards and two punt returns for 10 yards. Back at Iowa, he was legendary, becoming the first two-time winner of the Jet Award, snagging consensus All-American honors in 2025, and leading the nation in kickoff-return yardage while averaging a wild 26.8 yards per punt return. In his final college season, he even scored touchdowns as a rusher, a receiver, and on both kickoff and punt returns.
This kid was already an intriguing fit for a Steelers squad looking to boost its return game. Now, with what he showed offensively, that fourth-round pick is looking like an absolute steal. The ability to contribute on offense could ultimately make that investment look even more valuable. Can he keep it rolling into the next preseason test? We’re all watching to see what Wetjen does next.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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