​Sep 21, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane (14) returns an interception during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Some former New England Patriots and former Pittsburgh Steelers will meet again at Gillette Stadium.Between the active rosters, practice squads and reserve lists, four players in the fold this September have been members of both clubs during their NFL careers.With stays ranging from days to years, here’s a glance through those ties ahead of Sunday’s 1 p.m. ET home opener.PITTSBURGHBrandon Smith, wide receiver — The Patriots signed Smith to the practice squad last December. The 27-year-old wide receiver’s stay ended with his release ahead of the AFC divisional round in January. A futures contract with the Steelers arrived 48 hours later, and he was retained on Pittsburgh’s practice squad at its formation following the NFL’s 53-man roster deadline in August. Undrafted out of Iowa in 2021, Smith made previous stops with the Dallas Cowboys, DC Defenders, Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets. He has made three appearances as a standard elevation.Bradyn Swinson, outside linebacker — As the NFL’s cutdown deadline closed in, the Patriots waived a member of the 2025 draft class. Swinson subsequently went through the wire unclaimed en route to joining the Steelers’ initial practice squad. Taken in the fifth round at No. 146 overall last year, the 24-year-old former transfer from Oregon to LSU began his rookie campaign on the practice squad. He earned a promotion to the 53-man roster in November and went on to appear in four matchups, including the AFC Championship Game, handling 27 snaps on defense, 31 snaps on special teams and one solo tackle.Christian Kuntz, long snapper — Once a linebacker prospect by way of Duquesne, Kuntz entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2017 and became an August addition in Foxborough. He was waived following that year’s preseason finale as the roster reduced from 90. Kuntz proceeded to log stints with Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars and Dallas Renegades on the way to converting to long snapper. The 32-year-old has since had a hand in Pittsburgh’s operation for 86 games dating back to his 2021 debut. Kuntz has made 11 tackles on special teams during his AFC North tenure.NEW ENGLANDRobert Spillane, linebacker — Now a back-to-back Patriots captain, Spillane has appeared in 100 games, including 64 starts, since breaking into the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Originally signed by the Tennessee Titans after serving as a rookie minicamp tryout, the Western Michigan product went on to spend four years in Pittsburgh while cutting his teeth on special teams and as a sub-package linebacker. He moved on to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023 and Foxborough in 2025. Spillane’s run has spanned 602 tackles and 9.5 sacks, plus two forced fumbles, two fum