Steelers' Calvin Austin Very Direct About 2024: 'My Goal Is Just To Be A Playmaker'

When he returned to the field in 2023, the Steelers replaced the much-maligned Gunner Olszewski with Austin as their punt returner. He averaged over eight yards per return on 29 chances. Austin added 17 catches, including a 72-yard touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders. He also rushed for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals. Austin flashed glimpses of what he could with an opportunity, but was buried on the wide receiver depth chart behind Pickens, Diontae Johnson, and Allen Robinson II. 

The Steelers' new offensive coordinator, Smith, is known for preferring big, physical receivers and heavy personnel. Omar Khan will add to the wide receiver room before training camp, and Austin has his work cut out to prove he deserves a significant role in the offense and not be pigeonholed as a return specialist and gadget player. 

"I ain't that," Austin replied. "I'm a complete receiver, I can do it all, I'm a guy. You know, talk ain't nothing. If you ain't getting out there doing stuff, actually, you can say whatever, and it sounds good, but it's like you already know. That's the thing: the work I'm gonna put in. I'm going into the season, my goal really starts knowing. When I'm going into camp, I want to dominate." 

It would be a welcomed surprise for the Steelers if Austin can prove that he is at least the answer as the number three wide receiver in 2024. Austin's size will work against him on the outside, but with Russell Wilson's ability to throw the deep ball, his speed could become a real issue for opposing defenses. Precious few cornerbacks in the NFL can match Austin's speed, and Wilson may be just the quarterback to exploit it. 

Steelers' Current Wide Receiver Room Could Help Russell Wilson Duplicate His Success In Seattle

If Austin gets off press coverage at the line of scrimmage, the combination with Wilson could be a very dangerous weapon for the Steelers. During his time with the Seattle Seahawks, Wilson perfectly utilized his receiver tandem of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Pickens and Austin have very similar physical traits and should be a much more effective combination for the former Denver Broncos quarterback than Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy. 

Khan will probably add a wide receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft with the physical traits that Smith is comfortable with. Still, if Austin can prove he can handle the job this offseason, the Steelers won't have to throw a rookie receiver on the field to start the season. Tomlin and his coaching staff proved that with talented rookies like Joey Porter Jr., Broderick Jones, and Keeanu Benton last season.