Steelers Wide Receiver Named Team’s Offseason Surprise
One major question the Steelers need to answer in training camp is which wide receiver will be starting opposite DK Metcalf this season. Calvin Austin III, Robert Woods, and Roman Wilson will be competing for the WR2 spot. ESPN recently selected one offseason surprise for each NFL team. For the Steelers, they chose Austin. Steelers wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni agrees that Austin is right for the role. During Steelers minicamp, he said, “I think that 'two' spot is all Calvin's right now.” Austin is five feet nine inches and weighs 162 pounds.
Austin is an efficient player who makes opportunities count. The Steelers chose Austin in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. ESPN’s Brooke Pryor wrote, “Austin missed his entire rookie year with an injury but has turned into a steady contributor in each of his last two seasons. Austin was just behind Pickens last season, averaging 15.2 yards per reception, and he hauled in four touchdowns to Pickens' three.” He played in all 17 regular-season games last year, catching 36 passes for 548 yards. He was also an asset on special teams.
During the Steelers’ game against the Los Angeles Chargers on September 22nd, 2024, Austin had a career-high 95 receiving yards. He caught four passes, one being a 55-yard touchdown catch. The Steelers beat the Chargers 20-10. Austin had a 73-yard return against the New York Giants on a Monday Night Football game on October 28th, 2024. This marked the Steelers’ first punt return touchdown since 2019. Austin also caught a 29-yard touchdown pass during the game. The Steelers defeated the Giants 26-18. Austin’s outstanding performance earned him the title of AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Throughout his tenure with the Steelers, Austin has amassed 53 receptions for 728 yards and five touchdowns. He also returned 57 punts for 538 yards and one touchdown. Austin is the third NFL player to register a touchdown catch and punt return touchdown on Monday Night Football in the past 20 years. He still needs to build chemistry with the recently signed starting quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. Already finding a way to get more practice time with Rodgers, Austin and several teammates recently worked out with Rodgers in Malibu. During Steelers OTAs and minicamp this year, Austin made plays with Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Skylar Thompson. Austin is expected to have a strong season this year.
