Steelers’ wide receiver issues could be getting worse before they get better following telling comments from offensive weapon
The Steelers may lose a wide receiver before they can add another.
No position group on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster needs more of an overhaul than the wide receiver room. A group that totaled a mere 60 receiving yards in Week 17 against the Cleveland Browns, the only sure-fire bet to be back in Pittsburgh in 2026 is DK Metcalf.
That’s because the Steelers’ wide receiver room features a plethora of free agents, including wide receiver No. 2 Calvin Austin III. However, with a new staff in place and no deal as of yet, Austin is already preparing for a new home.
Calvin Austin III says Steelers may not want him back in 2026
“Pittsburgh, just being real, they may not want me, or they may have a different vision. And that’s why I say at the end of the day, it’s just a straight business decision,” Austin said earlier this month via ESPN radio. “Obviously, Coach T. did step down.”
“Whether I stay or leave, it’s gonna be a new situation regardless, Even if I stay, we have a whole new staff so it’s definitely something I’m excited about and been praying over. One thing is for sure: I love Pittsburgh- the fans, the people, the city-I truly love it. And so I would definitely want to continue to make that home.”
Austin is probably best suited for a wide receiver No. 3 or No. 4 in a high-profile room. He’s proven to be tough as nails and a true vertical presence in the passing game, with a plethora of quarterbacks throwing him the ball. He is not, however, a true WR No. 2 in my opinion, even if the Steelers thought he was before 2025.
Should the Steelers want Calvin Austin back?
In my opinion, the Steelers should address the position via a trade in free agency, take a mid-round swing in the NFL Draft, and again on day three while also re-signing Austin to a two-year deal with an average of $4 million per year. That’s a little under Spotrac’s projection of a two-year deal with a total over $9 million.
Austin missed all of his rookie season due to injury, so if you take his 17-game average over the course of three seasons, he has 30 receptions, 390 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Not prolific numbers by any means, but numbers worthy of a multi-year deal as the third or fourth option in a wide receiver corps, in my opinion.
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