Steelers Reportedly 'Very High' on Calvin Austin III with Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf

Pittsburgh Steelers coaches are "very high" on wide receiver Calvin Austin III as the team undergoes a personnel change on offense with quarterback Aaron Rodgers now running the show and DK Metcalf serving as WR1.

"Highlighting Austin here, because coaches are very high on him," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler began.

"[Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin] calls his trajectory 'really exciting,' and people I've talked to with the team noted that he gets open often. Austin just doesn't have the numbers (36 catches, 548 yards, four touchdowns) to reflect that ability. The offense will heavily feature Metcalf and the tight ends, but Austin will have chances with splash plays."

Austin showcased that splash play ability at times last year, perhaps most notably when he led the Steelers to a 26-18 Monday Night Football win over the New York Giants.

In the third quarter, Austin broke a 9-9 tie with a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown.

In the fourth quarter, Austin hauled in a 29-yard touchdown pass for a 22-9 lead.

Austin also had a 55-yard touchdown earlier in the season against the Los Angeles Chargers last September.

The Steelers selected Austin with a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft. Unfortunately, the ex-Memphis star missed the 2022 season with a foot injury, but he returned for 2023 and amassed 237 yards and two touchdowns on 28 touches.

Austin got a greater opportunity to make his mark in 2024, finishing third on the team in targets (58), third in receiving yards (548) and second in receiving touchdowns (four).

Pittsburgh values his skillset, and it's possible he ends up being the de facto WR2 like last year, only this time behind Metcalf instead of George Pickens, who was traded to the Dallas Cowboys.

Austin spoke with Fowler about how the passing offense may look with Metcalf aboard.

"DK is going to command some attention, for sure," Austin said. "Schematically, we will find ways to get him open. I feel like guys who are younger like me and Roman (Wilson), we go into every game ready for it if this is our game. Each week, we just prepare with that mindset."

As for himself, Austin told Fowler that coaches have stressed the need for him to go downfield for explosive passing plays, as he did for big moments last year.

"I'm just ready for whatever role is necessary," Austin told Fowler.

Pittsburgh opens the season on Sunday, Sept. 7 at the New York Jets.