Do the Steelers want WR Calvin Austin III back under Mike McCarthy?
The Steelers have a lot of figuring to do at wide receiver, including Calvin Austin III, their most notable pending free agent at the position. Going into his fifth season, he has had moderate production relative to his opportunities. Going into 2026, however, they surely can’t count on him as more than a WR No. 3
That is, after all, the debate the team has faced for the past couple of years. Minus a “true” second receiver to pair with DK Metcalf, the Steelers assigned that role to Calvin Austin III for the early portions of the season. Later on, Roman Wilson made inroads before making for the bench. The coaching staff cleared the deck when they added Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
But Thielen retired—and presumably will stay retired—while MVS is hardly a solution. Assuming neither return, Roman Wilson is the Steelers’ most notable wide receiver behind DK Metcalf if they don’t re-sign Austin. But if the new coaching staff sees more in Wilson than the previous staff did, that might not be so bad. Or rather, if the new staff manages to get more out of him.
A fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Calvin Austin spent his rookie season injured. He gradually began contributing, having his best year in 2024. Last season, missing a few games due to injury, he caught 31 passes on 55 targets for 372 yards and three touchdowns. While he caught a couple of big touchdowns, it felt less impactful. Aaron Rodgers and the offense couldn’t lock the deep pass game like Russell Wilson could.
So do the Steelers want Austin back—and does he want to come back? At this rate, I’m guessing that he will at least test the open market. And most likely, the front office is telling him to, letting him discover and set his price. All things being equal, if he wants to stay, he’ll approach the team with his best offer. They’ll either match, propose a counter, or wish him luck.
The Steelers exited the playoffs in the first round yet again, a pattern going back to 2017. With seven consecutive postseason losses and no wins in nearly a decade, they are facing another long, long offseason. No doubt we will see many changes, but none will top Mike Tomlin’s resignation.
The NFL has crowned its latest champion, but for us and the Steelers, we have been in offseason mode. That’s what happens when the team you cover loses by the middle of January all the time, but you’ve been around, so you know that already. Enjoy the ride, even the turbulence, because it’s the only way we know how to travel anymore.
Recommended for you