He is the Pittsburgh Steelers’ No. 2 wide receiver ahead of the 2025 season and is expected to be a big part of the offense with Aaron Rodgers under center, but it doesn’t seem like Calvin Austin III is in line for a conract extension ahead of the start of the regular season.
“The Steelers have yet to approach Calvin Austin III about a potential extension, and it’s unknown if they will,” longtime Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly wrote on X.
Austin is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is poised for a breakout season in 2025. As the clear No. 2 WR behind DK Metcalf, and with a talent like Rodgers under center, Austin is in line for plenty of opportunities to make plays in the passing game.
Last season, Austin emerged as a viable weapon for the Steelers, both as a receiver and punt returner. He hauled in 36 receptions for 548 yards and four touchdowns, coming up clutch time and time again down the field in big moments.
As a returner, Austin thrived on special teams. He had a punt return for a touchdown against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football and averaged a career-best 10.3 yards on 28 punt returns last season.
With Austin entering the final year of his rookie deal, and the Steelers reportedly believing in him a great deal, it would make sense for Pittsburgh to lock him into a reasonable contract extension. But as of now, according to Kaboly, the Steelers haven’t approached the former Memphis star about a new deal.
It could be another wait-and-see approach from the Steelers, who may want to get another year of production out of Austin before committing future money to him. Of course, that could also run the risk of Austin blowing up this season and pricing himself out of Pittsburgh, but that might be a risk worth taking.
Steelers Depot’s Ross McCorkle laid out in mid-May that an extension for Austin made sense, even with Austin not being a star just yet.
Inside the building, Austin is highly respected, both among the wide receivers and the team in general. He’s a tough-as-nails player who doesn’t back down from anything and shows up in big moments. He leads by example and has become more vocal in the last year or so, too.
That’s the exact type of player the Steelers should want to keep around.
But they haven’t approached him yet regarding an extension. There’s still time, but if nothing is done before the Sept. 7 opener against the New York Jets on the road, Austin will have the chance to hit free agency since the Steelers don’t negotiate in-season.
