Teresa Varley

Learn more about linebacker Carson Bruener in this edition of Five Fast Facts.

1. The Steelers selected Bruener in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of the University of Washington with the 226th overall pick.

2. Bruener appeared in 52 games for the Huskies and finished with 306 tackles, 180 of them solo stops, 10 tackles for a loss, one and a half sacks, 14 passes defensed and four forced fumbles. Bruener also is a special teams standout, something he knows will benefit at the NFL level.

"Special teams is something I started playing at the University of Washington early in my career and is something I embrace and really fell in love with," said Bruener. "It's something I have been able to do my whole career and excel at. I know that is something I am going to be able to bring to Pittsburgh for sure."

3. Bruener, who played for three different head coaches and six different defensive coordinators during his time at Washington, was a steading force for the defense. He was a team captain in 2024 and helped as the team headed into the Big Ten conference.

4. He earned consensus third-team All-Big Ten honors (coaches and media) and was the only Washington player invited to the NFL Combine in 2025.

5. Bruener is no stranger to Pittsburgh, as his father, Mark Bruener, was drafted by the Steelers in the first round of the 1995 NFL Draft and is currently a Steelers scout. When Bruener was drafted, he was at the same family home along the coast in Washington where his dad was 30 years ago when he was selected by the Steelers, even sitting in the same spot in the living room.

Bruener was born a Steelers fan, with evidence in the images below.