The Pittsburgh Steelers were thin at the wide receiver position after trading George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. Speculation ran wild all summer about who they would bring in to play alongside D.K. Metcalf. Names like Romeo Doubs, Gabe Davis, and many more were floated as potential WR2 options for Pittsburgh. Adding more weapons can’t hurt, but the Steelers already have their WR2 that is itching to break out this season. His name is Calvin Austin.
The Steelers’ 2022 draft class is depressing to look at, but Austin remains a bright spot in the group. Pittsburgh used its fourth-round pick on the speedy receiver from Memphis that Sauce Gardner touted as the toughest player he’s ever had to guard. Unfortunately, Austin missed his entire rookie season due to a foot injury that required surgery.
2023 was Austin’s first taste of NFL action. He caught 17 passes in 17 games for 180 yards and one touchdown with Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph throwing him passes. Neither of those quarterbacks is ideal to succeed with as a pass catcher in the NFL, so it’s hard to blame Austin for his measly numbers fully.
In 2024, Austin saw his production jump with Justin Fields and Russell Wilson throwing him passes. In 17 games, he caught 36 passes for 548 yards and four touchdowns. The upgraded quarterback situation paid off for Austin and the Steelers’ other pass catchers, but they all knew that there was more meat on the bone. A real quarterback could turn Austin into a legitimate threat.
Pittsburgh is only one game into the 2025 campaign, but Austin may have found his ideal quarterback. In Week 1 against the New York Jets, Aaron Rodgers found Austin four times for 70 yards and a wide-open touchdown. The addition of Metcalf also helps. Austin finally has a real WR1 to take the brunt of the focus from the defense instead of a manic hothead that makes a cool catch every once in a while.
Projected statistics are tough to gather with a one-game sample size, but if Austin continues at his Week 1 pace, the Steelers have a weapon on their hands. He’s on pace for 1,190 yards on 68 receptions if he plays 17 games. If Austin can continue to post numbers like he did in Week 1, Tyreek Hill can stay in Miami.
The tricky part of the situation for Pittsburgh is the contract. Austin is set to become a free agent next offseason. It would have been smart to get a deal done before the season, but that ship has sailed. Now the Steelers could be boxed into paying Austin the big bucks or letting him walk away. If he gets close to those projected statistics, he will be worth every penny.
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