Calvin Austin III has had a bit of a bumpy road during his 2025 season. Coming off the heels of a much-improved 2024 campaign, he was expected to step up and be a true WR2 alongside DK Metcalf. And his presence on the roster is a big part of the reason the Steelers didn’t bring in another big-name receiver this offseason.
He’s having some nice moments, but injuries are keeping him from getting into a complete rhythm this year. After a couple of quiet outings in recent weeks, former NFL receiver Chad Johnson wonders whether the Steelers are using him correctly.
“Listen, Calvin Austin III, as fast as he is, as explosive as he is, he should be one that puts fear in defenses. He should be one. It’s just, I don’t know if they use him the correct way to do that,” Johnson said this week on his Nightcap podcast.
During last Sunday’s loss, Austin certainly didn’t do himself any favors. He was targeted seven times last week and caught only two of them for 14 yards. There was also a pass that he absolutely should have caught, but ended up tipping it straight to a Chargers’ defender for an interception that essentially sealed Sunday’s loss.
Really, it’s just been hard for Calvin Austin to get into a rhythm. He’s been good at times, catching four passes for 70 yards against New York to open the season. He also had a five-catch, 56-yard outing against Indianapolis a week and a half ago. In both of those games, he looked like a true WR2 and a good complement to Metcalf.
The problem is, those outings have been few and far between. And his chemistry with Rodgers was also delayed due to the injury he suffered. After a solid four-game stretch to start the year, Austin had to miss games against both Cincinnati and Cleveland before finally returning against Green Bay. And aside from those two aforementioned games, he hasn’t posted 35 receiving yards in a single other game. In those matchups, he hasn’t looked like much of a WR2 at all.
Inconsistency has been the best word to describe the Steelers this year. And it’s hurting Austin in several ways. Sometimes the Steelers commit to the run, while at other times they abandon it in the second half, losing their offensive rhythm. Some games Rodgers throws four touchdowns, other times he plays like he did last Sunday night. And at times, the Steelers are able to get their second and third options open. That wasn’t a problem against the Colts. Other times, against teams that take away those quick passes, like the Chargers, they find it difficult.
With Calvin Austin, the talent is there. He’s made some big plays in the past and led the Steelers in receiving touchdowns last year. He did have a rough outing on Sunday. But he’s been no more inconsistent than the rest of the offense he’s currently in. Yet, for Austin to start averaging more than 33.9 receiving yards per game, he and the rest of the unit need to start turning that tide.
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