Pittsburgh, PA – July 2, 2025
Steelers Nation may have been fixated on blockbuster names like Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf this offseason, but at training camp, it’s a quiet speedster who’s stealing the spotlight—and the hearts of fans. While the headlines go to the stars, the whispers around Saint Vincent College are all about the smallest guy in the room with the biggest chip on his shoulder.
That player is Calvin Austin III.
The 5-foot-9 wideout, once dismissed as undersized and overmatched, has exploded into the biggest surprise of the Steelers’ offseason. “That ‘2’ spot is all Calvin’s right now,” receivers coach Zach Azzanni boldly declared during minicamp, per ESPN. The moment George Pickens was shipped to Dallas, Pittsburgh faced a gaping hole beside DK Metcalf—and Austin has lunged at it like a man possessed.
“I’m not trying to replace anybody,” Austin told local media last week. “I’m just trying to be the best version of me—fast, fearless, and dependable.”
He might not look like your typical WR2, but Austin’s tape doesn’t lie. In 2024, he quietly racked up 548 yards and 4 touchdowns, ranking among the top pass-catchers in Pittsburgh despite inconsistent quarterback play. His separation skills, route sharpness, and tenacity in run-blocking have earned him praise from teammates and coaches alike.
More importantly, he’s earned trust.
Austin now stands toe-to-toe in competition with rookie Roman Wilson and veteran Robert Woods, but few would argue he’s behind. Where Woods brings age, and Wilson brings potential, Austin brings proven chemistry and relentless grind.
There’s a certain magic around him this camp. Every rep feels meaningful. Every catch, a statement. In a receiving corps desperate for hierarchy and identity, Calvin Austin III is writing his name into the depth chart with ink that doesn’t smudge.
With DK drawing the double teams and Jonnu Smith commanding the middle, Austin might just be the spark that turns the Steelers’ offense from respectable to lethal. As the calendar turns toward the preseason, don’t be surprised if WR2 is no longer up for debate in Pittsburgh.
Stay tuned to ESPN for more as the Calvin Austin story heats up.
