The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t have an impressive group of pending free agents. The players at the top of their list quickly agreed to contracts with other teams early this week. Running back Kenneth Gainwell to Tampa Bay, cornerback James Pierre to Minnesota. It leaves receiver Calvin Austin III as the top name still left unsigned; at least, if you put quarterback Aaron Rodgers aside.
Greeted by a quiet market, beat writer Ray Fittipaldo believes Austin could wind up staying in Pittsburgh.
“I wouldn’t rule out Calvin Austin coming back,” Fittipaldo said on 93.7 The Fan Thursday afternoon. “Obviously for probably less than 5 million. I think Calvin was hoping for a little bit more.”
Receivers quickly came off the market over the two-day legal tampering period. Alec Pierce re-upped to a record contract with the Indianapolis Colts. Mike Evans is now wearing a San Francisco 49ers uniform. Pittsburgh dealt for Michael Pittman Jr. and Romeo Doubs agreed to a deal with the New England Patriots.
Austin wasn’t in that tier of players but so far, there hasn’t been a rumor or report about interested teams let alone a signing. A change in agency hasn’t brought more teams to the table.
It likely means Austin’s next contract won’t be a large one. That puts him in play for Pittsburgh, a team that isn’t going to hand out a third sizable contract at the position. A budget offer of say, two years and $6 million could make sense. Austin returning as the No. 4 receiver and punt returner behind DK Metcalf, Pittman, and likely a high draft pick. A potential Aaron Rodgers return would make it logical even more given how often Rodgers praised Austin, including during a recent interview with The Pat McAfee Show.
But if Austin’s market is that light, he may continue to weigh options. A one-year, prove-it deal might fit his situation better. If he can find a No. 3 role with an offense, a solid season could boost his stock for the 2027 offseason. Often, when players have light markets, they don’t want to sign multi-year deals and be locked in for cheap.
Austin made clutch plays last season but a small frame and one-note speedster limit his value. He’s realizing that during his foray into first free agent and being shunned by the rest of the league could convince him to come back to what he knows in Pittsburgh.
Recommended for you