Seventh-round rookie safety Robert Spears-Jennings has just one NFL defensive snap under his belt so far in the 2026 season. However, he already has seven tackles.
One of the Steelers’ final selections in a 10-man draft class this spring, Spears-Jennings has made an immediate impact on special teams through the first two weeks of the regular season. His seven tackles in that phase of the game are the most in the NFL so far — no other player has more than five.
A 6’2, 205-pound safety who ran a blazing 4.32-second 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Combine, Spears-Jennings’ athleticism and effort have made him a productive player when it comes to wrangling NFL returners.
That hasn’t gone unnoticed by Steelers special teams coach Danny Crossman. Speaking to the media Monday, Crossman praised the Oklahoma product’s contributions.
“I think obviously the scouting department and the coaches did a great job of identifying (Spears-Jennings), and more importantly, he came in with a great mindset,” Crossman said. “He came with the mindset of, whatever his role was going to be, he was going to buy in, and he was going to try to be an exceptional player at whatever we asked him to do.”
Crossman highlighted how the rookie’s effort has stood out even though he hasn’t seen much time on defense.
“(Spears-Jennings) is finding ways to make plays a lot of ways,” Crossman said. “He’s (at the) point of attack, making plays. He’s (redirecting), making plays. He’s getting off the ground after he gets knocked off of a tackle and still getting involved in a play. Really happy with where he is, and hopefully just keep developing him. And we think we got a good player right there.”
Crossman was also asked about the special teams contributions of the Steelers’ final pick in the 2026 draft, running back Eli Heidenreich, who has also seen some work as a returner. The coach said that Heidenreich hasn’t provided the same “instant gratification and instant results” as Spears-Jennings, but has still done a good job so far.
“(Heidenreich) did a good job blocking and had an opportunity with the ball in his hand and did a nice job finding the seam and getting it creased,” Crossman said. Heidenreich had a 26-yard kick return on Sunday against the Patriots.
“Maybe a little bit more vertical, but both those young guys, we think they’re good players, just like a lot of these guys.”
