Pittsburgh Steelers broad receiver Calvin Austin III is in place to be the Steelers’ quantity two receiver heading into the 2025 season. The teaching workers appears to consider in his upside, with broad receiver coach Zach Azzanni affirming his confidence in Austin III this previous Wednesday.
Enchancment heading into his fourth season is simply a part of the equation. The opposite main contributor shall be his rapport along with his quarterback: Aaron Rodgers.
Throughout minicamp this previous week, Austin III spoke to reporters about his pleasure to play with and be taught from Aaron Rodgers, through the Submit-Gazette Sports activities Youtube.
“All you are able to do is maximize the time you might have now,” stated Austin. “I believe we’re positively gonna try this…When you might have a man that’s performed as a lot as he has, it’s nearly you prepared to be a sponge and persevering with to be taught and simply be versatile.”
Whether or not Steelers followers prefer it or not, Aaron Rodgers is certainly the vocal chief of the offense. The 41-year-old is as veteran because it will get. He’s skilled the NFL as a backup, an up-and-coming star, a Tremendous Bowl champion, a four-time MVP, an injured participant on a struggling franchise, and now maybe one ultimate expertise enjoying for probably the most storied franchise within the NFL. He’ll have a lot to show the Steelers receivers — and offense as an entire — in the event that they’re prepared to pay attention.
Regardless of the dramatic and at occasions poisonous discourse surrounding Aaron Rodgers this offseason, which at one level led Cam Heyward to proclaim “Both you wish to be a Pittsburgh Steeler, otherwise you don’t,” Aaron Rodgers is now a Steeler. In contrast to final season with the unending quarterback competitors between Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, Rodgers is the definitive beginning quarterback this season. Calvin Austin III, DK Metcalf, Roman Wilson, and the remainder of the receivers must construct actual chemistry with one man fairly than two. Austin might want to modify to Rodgers’ play fashion if he’s going to be certainly one of his most featured targets.
There’s a large alternative for Austin as the first slot receiver. Rodgers likes to zip passes to the center of the sector, and lately as his arm energy has declined a bit, these throws are sometimes near the road of scrimmage. Rodgers’ throw timing and accuracy are his best traits as a passer, which require distinctive chemistry along with his receivers.
Austin’s quickness and route-running could possibly be the important thing to unlocking the Steelers’ passing recreation. If his 36 catches for 548 yards from final season may flip into 65 catches for 850 yards, then Austin ought to earn himself a second contract. The chance shall be there for Austin; it’s only a matter of how a lot he can be taught, enhance, and develop as a receiver this offseason whereas constructing chemistry with Aaron Rodgers.