The Steelers used the first of two seventh-round picks to select Washington linebacker Carson Bruener with the 226th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Bruener is the son of former Steelers tight end and current team scout Mark Bruener. In fact, his father was drafted by the Steelers 30 years ago this week in the first round, also out of Washington. And, he was sitting in the same exact spot in the same cabin his dad was sitting when he got the call.

"This is a dream come true," Bruener said. "I am so happy. I got my name called. I got that phone call. It's something special for sure. I can't wait."

Bruener said he didn't know the Steelers would be calling, even though his dad was right there with him. Mark Bruener left Pittsburgh following the first round to be with his son.

While the decision will come with skepticism, the Steelers did not draft Bruener because of his bloodline.

"Great story, obviously, for him and his family," Mike Tomlin said. "But as I told him when we had him on the phone, we were on the phone with him because of the merits of his resume and the things that he did at UW. ... It's just an awesome side note that his father is a Steeler and got drafted by this organization, I think, 30 years ago."

Part of Bruener's "worthy resume," to quote Tomlin, includes playing in 52 games, recording 306 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, 14 passes defensed and four forced fumbles. He made 2021 Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll, was named 2022 Preseason All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention, made the 2022 Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll, named 2023 All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention and 2023 CSC Academic All-District.

Bruener is on the smaller side at 6-1 and 227 pounds, but has blazing speed, recording a 4.58 40-yard dash at the Combine. He's joining a room that's already packed full with Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, Mark Robinson and Malik Harrison. Earning a roster spot will be no easy task.

"It's a competitive room right now, and it'll add to that more going into training camp," Scott McCurley said. "And for me, that's really all you can ask, is having a competitive room, having bodies in there that once again, once they can help us on defense, they can help Danny (Smith) on special teams. And I like the way it's setting up right now, heading into this summer."

Bruener's pathway to being one of 53 players in September will be on special teams, in which he has plenty of experience at Washington. 

"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," Bruener said. "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."