The Steelers haven’t had a quiet summer.
The DeShon Elliott and Omar Khan extensions, the trade for Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith — is there a chance the team isn’t done yet?
Of course, a new contract for T.J. Watt is the biggest item remaining on the team’s to-do list. It’s also widely expected to take place between now and Week 1. But there’s another name on Pittsburgh’s roster who could be a candidate for an extension in 2025…
Should the Steelers extend Calvin Austin III this summer?
Austin, entering the final year of his four-year, $4,164,340 rookie contract, had a breakout season in 2024. He established himself as a starter in the slot, logging 548 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns on 36 receptions; he added another touchdown as the team’s starting punt returner.
The 5’9, 162-pound receiver missed his rookie season in 2022 due to injury. He logged just 180 yards in 2023.
But entering 2025, Austin is expected to be the team’s WR3 at minimum. Should the team get ahead of Austin hitting the free agent market in 2026 and try to sign him to a new deal this summer?
I’d say no, but a lot depends on what Austin might be asking.
The wide receiver market can be tough to predict, with names like Marquise Brown (574 yards in 2023), Brandin Cooks (259 yards in 2024), and Kendrick Bourne (305 yards in 2024) all making $6.5-$7 million per year, per Over the Cap.
However, Dyami Brown (308 yards in 2024) and the 5’9, 165-pound Tutu Atwell (562 yards in 2024), each commanded one-year, $10 million deals this offseason.
While Austin doesn’t have the past production of names like Marquise Brown and Cooks, he does have the youth and upside of Dyami Brown and Atwell. His yearly average could be anything from $7 million to upwards of $10 million based on the current market.
But do the Steelers really need to get ahead of a Calvin Austin III breakout? It might’ve already happened.
He could certainly have a better season in 2025 than 2024, but given the team’s recent acquisition of Jonnu Smith and the run-first nature of Arthur Smith’s offense, it’s unlikely he’ll ascend to an even higher tier of his position group following the upcoming season.
Calvin Austin III is a talented player and a strong candidate to remain in Pittsburgh long term, but the Steelers might be better off seeing if he can repeat last season’s success again before handing over a multi-year extension.
What are your thoughts on a possible Calvin Austin III extension? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments!
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