Every year, the NFL Draft brings about some obvious connections for the Pittsburgh Steelers. 2025 might not have a more obvious connection than that of Washington linebacker Carson Bruener. Bruener is the son of Pittsburgh Steelers scout Mark Bruener. Carson, who will be at the NFL Combine and was at the Shrine Bowl, already barred his father from attending any draft interviews with him.

When his dad tried to enter his interview at the Shrine Bowl, Carson made sure he did not get his way in there.

“I did not allow him to be there,“ Carson Bruener told Alex Katson of Husies Wire. ”You don’t even need to eavesdrop. You know everything about me, so what are you doing here? Go do your job.”

Carson has become a key member of the Washington defense over his years with the program. Mark, who played for Washington, is always around the program and gave the Steelers confidence in drafting Troy Fautanu a year ago.

Carson had 104 tackles, three interceptions, a forced fumble, and five pass deflections in his Senior campaign. As it stands, he is projected to be a late-round pick, but with solid testing at the NFL Combine, he could raise his stock in a shallow linebacker class.