Calvin Austin III Wants to Stay in Pittsburgh - But Knows the NFL Is a Business
Calvin Austin III knows how the NFL works. As much as players grow with a team, build chemistry, and become part of a locker room culture, there's always the reality that business decisions drive the league. And as he heads into free agency for the first time in his career, the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver is keeping both his heart and his head in the right place.
Austin, a fourth-round pick out of Memphis in the 2022 NFL Draft, has spent the last two seasons carving out a role in Pittsburgh’s wide receiver rotation. While he hasn’t yet made the leap to being a full-time starter, he’s shown flashes - particularly with his speed and special teams value - that make him an intriguing piece for any roster.
But now, with his rookie contract up and the Steelers entering an offseason of change, Austin’s future in black and gold is uncertain.
“Pittsburgh, just being real, they may not want me, or they may have a different vision,” Austin said in a recent radio interview with 92.9 FM. “And that’s why I say at the end of the day, it’s just a straight business decision.”
He’s not wrong. The Steelers are coming off a season filled with transition, and with longtime head coach Mike Tomlin stepping down, the entire organization is bracing for a new era. That includes a fresh coaching staff and potentially a new offensive philosophy - one that may or may not include Austin.
“Whether I stay or leave, it’s gonna be a new situation regardless,” he added. “Even if I stay, we have a whole new staff so it’s definitely something I’m excited about and been praying over.”
Austin’s 2025 season was a mixed bag. He was limited to 14 games due to shoulder and hamstring injuries, finishing the year with 31 catches for 372 yards and three touchdowns.
While those numbers don’t jump off the stat sheet, they reflect a player who found ways to contribute despite setbacks. His best season came in 2024, when he posted 548 receiving yards across a full 17-game slate - a sign of what he can do when healthy.
Injuries have been a recurring theme in Austin’s young career. He missed his entire rookie season due to a lisfranc injury, which set him back from the start. And while his 5-foot-9 frame and durability have been questioned, his speed and shiftiness have made him a valuable asset - particularly as a punt returner, where he’s added another layer to his game.
That versatility is part of what could keep him in Pittsburgh - or make him appealing elsewhere. He’s not just a receiver fighting for targets in a crowded room; he’s a weapon in space, someone who can flip field position and give an offense a spark.
The Steelers have plenty of decisions to make this offseason, from their coaching staff to their quarterback situation to how they want to reshape their receiver corps. Austin knows that. And while he’s made it clear he’d love to stay, he’s also preparing himself for the possibility that he’ll be suiting up somewhere else in 2026.
For now, he’s staying grounded, keeping his options open, and approaching the next chapter of his career with the same mindset he’s had since entering the league: stay ready, stay humble, and let the chips fall where they may.