The Steelers solely have three extensive receivers signed by 2026, and Calvin Austin III shouldn’t be amongst their names. A 2022 fourth-round choose, he’s within the remaining 12 months of his contract, and there aren’t any indications they’ll signal him to an extension in some unspecified time in the future this offseason. However primarily based on what he does in 2025, there’s a risk they re-sign him, Gerry Dulac says.
Requested throughout a latest chat what the possibilities are of the Steelers signing Calvin Austin to “a modest second contract,” Dulac wrote that “the possibilities are modest as properly.” Whereas he was having some enjoyable with the wording, he’s additionally critical.
His Put up-Gazette colleague, Ray Fittipaldo, shares the identical view, arguing the Steelers’ 2022 class “have tenuous futures.” Of the few who stay, although, he wrote, “Austin has one of the best probability to stay with the Steelers, however that’s removed from a certainty.”
Contemplating the Steelers re-signed Ben Skowronek to a two-year contract, I don’t see why they wouldn’t wish to hold Calvin Austin III round. He isn’t more likely to be very costly, they usually don’t have another “confirmed” commodities behind DK Metcalf.
Metcalf and his $150 million contract are the centerpiece of their extensive receiver room, after all. A lot is using on second-year WR Roman Wilson, who basically missed his rookie season. They reportedly “actually like” Wilson, but additionally “assume extra extremely of Calvin Austin III than folks notice.” Maybe Dulac and Fittipaldo are amongst these folks?
Our Ross McCorkle argued that the Steelers ought to signal Austin to an extension. It’s hardly a nasty thought, not to mention unhealthy enterprise, if reasonably priced. Exterior of Metcalf, Wilson, and Skowronek are the one different extensive receivers beneath contract apart from rookie free brokers.
Austin has proven regular progress because the Steelers drafted him. After spending his rookie season injured, he caught 17 passes for 180 yards and a landing in 2023. Final season, he caught 36 passes for 548 yards and 4 touchdowns.
The Steelers drafted Calvin Austin as a result of he has nice velocity and has confirmed to be an efficient downfield goal. So long as they’ve a quarterback who can get him the ball, he can and can make performs. General, his sport has some clear limitations as a consequence of his measurement, however that doesn’t cease him from making an affect. Typically, huge issues are available small packages.
Thoughts you, he isn’t only a extensive receiver, both. Austin can be the Steelers’ punt returner, and he housed one final 12 months. His punt return in 2024 was the primary the Steelers have had since Antonio Brown in 2015. So in the event that they don’t really feel like re-signing him simply to be a large receiver, they’ll let Danny Smith marketing campaign for him. That’s why they re-signed Skowronek on a two-year deal, presumably.
