Eli

Heidenreich

DeFabo wonders whether Steelers coach Mike McCarthy will be “willing to open up the playbook for Heidenreich and how does the rookie fare in pass protection?” If McCarthy is willing to design plays for Heidenreich, and the youngster can be trusted to keep QB Aaron Rodgers safe from oncoming pass rushers, it is possible he earns a spot on the game-day roster. If not, he may need to spend 2026 refining his skill set while RB Jaylen Warren works on becoming Rodgers’ “new check-down favorite.” That said, DeFabo adds that “an injury or a surprising training camp performance could change things positively for Heidenreich. Keep an eye on him, but temper expectations.

McCarthy fielded questions from reporters after practice on Tuesday and was asked about Heidenreich at the very end. McCarthy kept things short, but complimentary, saying Heidenreich is an instinctive, natural football player with an excellent skill set, who has had a tremendous start. The Steelers’ coach adds that Heidenreich has “picked up the offense” and has “positional flexibility.” Notably, the Steelers are listing him with an RB/WR designation on their team website. Heidenreich has a long way to go before becoming fantasy-relevant, but McCarthy’s words are encouraging.

The former Navy Midshipmen lined up all over the formation as a receiving weapon out of the backfield, out wide, in the slot and even in line. Heidenreich stands 6’/198. He outright led or tied for the team-high in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in each of the last three seasons, and now holds Navy records for the most all-time receiving yards (1,994), single-season receiving yards (941), receiving yards in a game (243) and ties for the most single-season receiving touchdowns (six). In his final college season, Heidenreich posted a 77/499/3 rushing line, a 51/941/6 receiving line, produced a 12.6-yard aDOT and earned second-team All-American Athletic Conference honors. He averaged an exceptional 4.36 yards per route run over the course of his career and gained substantial hype in the fantasy world during the pre-draft process. Keep tabs on him this summer in the Steelers running back room.