Kaden Wetjen solidified his roster spot by ignoring his coach's sideline orders, turning a chaotic punt return into a stunning touchdown that showcased his elite playmaking instincts.
Thursday night's preseason game with the Buffalo Bills was the final time for players on the bubble of making the 53-man roster to show the Pittsburgh Steelers front office and coaching staff why they deserve to make the team.
Steelers rookie wide receiver Kaden Wetjen used his opportunity on Thursday night to show why he'd be an asset in the returning game, turning on his jets for a 45-yard touchdown return in the fourth quarter.
Following the game, Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters he was screaming at Wetjen to get vertical during the run, but the fourth-round pick didn't take his advice, deciding at first to run to the right side of the field before reversing course, taking the ball near the left sideline before scampering in for a score.
"Sometimes coaches say things on a headset they probably shouldn't say, like 'get north, get north' or 'get vertical,' which I was screaming at him at that time," McCarthy said, via the Steelers. "
"And then he obviously bounced it to the sideline. I saw it on the Jumbotron. I saw why he bounced it, because he didn't have anywhere to go in front of him."
Wetjen finished with four punt returns for 61 yards and returned a kickoff for 17 yards. He made a few splashy plays in his preseason debut against the Green Bay Packers, recording a 74-yard reception and one touchdown. He fumbled against the New York Jets last week.
McCarthy said it was a huge return for the rookie, who entered Thursday night facing pressure.
"He's been under some criticism just for being a young guy on a veteran team, so some tough love," McCarthy said. "I'm proud of him. I was really happy to see the return unit get that.
"Obviously, that was just a heck of a return by him, because if you're grading the tape, the coverage unit was in excellent position right there. And he gets around a corner and, obviously, finishes it off. That was a big-time return."
Wetjen showed plenty of upset for the Steelers during the preseason. He should be a lock to make the 53-man roster on Sunday. Given his playmaking potential, McCarthy could find ways to get him the ball early in the regular season.
