Pittsburgh Steelers fourth-round pick Kaden Wetjen is already set to make a change before his rookie season truly gets started.
The former Iowa wide receiver and return specialist reported to rookie minicamp wearing No. 42, an uncommon number for a wide receiver and one that is more often associated with defensive backs, linebackers or core special teams players. But Wetjen appears unlikely to stick with it for long. He posted on his Instagram story that a number change could be coming, which makes sense considering the number he wore throughout his college career is currently unavailable.
"Don't worry folks, we will have a new number for the [season]," Wetjen wrote on Instagram .
At Iowa, Wetjen wore No. 21, a number that is presently assigned to veteran running back Travis Homer. Homer, who was recently signed by Pittsburgh, brings experience as a running back and multi-phase special teams contributor. The last Steeler to wear No. 42 before Wetjen was cornerback James Pierre .
Numbers have become a bigger part of a player's identity in today's NFL, especially with the league loosening its number restrictions in recent years. Rookies often have to wait their turn, negotiate with veterans or even pay a significant price to get the number they wore in college. For Wetjen, No. 21 clearly carries some meaning, but whether he gets it back in Pittsburgh remains to be seen.
Nov 28, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Kaden Wetjen (21) warms up before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
Regardless of what number Wetjen ends up wearing, Steelers fans should expect to see it on the field a lot, especially on special teams. While some questioned whether the fourth round was too high to select a player viewed primarily as a return specialist, Wetjen fills a real need for Pittsburgh.
The Steelers struggled badly in the return game last season, and after losing Calvin Austin , that concern only became more pressing. Wetjen gives them a player with legitimate return ability, vision in space and the kind of explosiveness that can flip field position. Even if his offensive role takes time to develop, his path to early playing time is clear.
For a team that has long valued special teams and field position, Wetjen has a chance to carve out a role quickly. The number on his jersey may change, but the expectation for his rookie year should remain the same: Pittsburgh drafted him to impact games immediately in the return phase.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Steelers Rookie Kaden Wetjen Promises to Swap Strange Jersey Number
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