Steelers' Calvin Austin III Fully Defends George Pickens Against The Media: "I Don't Get Treated The Same Way"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have two, young promising wide receivers who were both taken by the franchise in the 2022 NFL Draft. Both George Pickens and Calvin Austin III are entering the fourth and final years of their rookie contracts, which means both receivers are looking to prove their worth and value in 2025. The likelihood of the Steelers offering Pickens a sizeable contract could ultimately depend on not only his performance on the field, but how he carries himself as a teammate. Pickens drew much attention to himself and Pittsburgh with some of his antics this past season, but Austin was quick to defend his teammate, who he entered the league with. 

In a recent interview with ABC24 Memphis, Austin was asked about a multitude of things related to his time in Pittsburgh. Before he detailed the team's mindset about their disastrous finish to the season, Austin was asked if Pickens is truly as "unhinged" as the media portrays him. The speedy slot receiver had no hesitation in defending Pickens, who remains as the team's number one wideout. 

"Especially being a Pittsburgh Steeler, the majority of the time, they're gonna show majority of the bad, so that's all you're gonna see," Austin explained. "Also, at the end of the day, everybody's human. I know that, in the media, I don't get treated the same way George does. I mean, I don't get some of the same questions he gets, none of that."

Since Pickens has been a Steeler, there have been many instances where he's shown signs of immaturity, on and off of the football field. According to an article done by CBS Sports, Pickens was fined nearly $200,000 by the NFL and Steelers combined in 2024.

Since it's become a nationally known subject that Pickens can be easily agitated, Pittsburgh's number one receiver has had an easy target on his back. The officiating crews began to stop giving Pickens any slack, and it's cost the Steelers greatly at times. 

Outside of tight end Pat Freiermuth, Pickens and Austin had the most receiving yards and touchdowns for the Black and Gold in 2024. Pickens didn't improve very much statistically from his 2023 season to 2024, but he also missed three crucial games at the end of the season. Austin, on the other hand, made major improvements from his first season on the field to his second. While he's been in the league for three years, Austin was sidelined for the entirety of his rookie season. 

If Pickens can manage to get through the 2025 season with a limited number of distractions, and if both he and Austin take further steps in the offense, the two 2022 draft selections could have long futures in Pittsburgh. Many fans and insiders are ready to move on from Pickens, but these two have the potential to be with the Steelers for a long time. 

Steelers' Offseason Wide Receiver Addition(s) Could Ultimately Determine Calvin Austin's Future

It's no secret that the Steelers will add one, or multiple, receivers this offseason. Whether they look to add through the draft or free agency, the type of receiver they grab is what will matter most for a player like Austin. If the Steelers decide to add a receiver who plays in the slot, then Austin's future with the Steelers will be in jeopardy. In 2024, Austin caught a career-best 36 catches for 548 yards and four scores. 

Do you think the Steelers should add an inside or outside wideout, and what should they do with Pickens and Austin once their rookie contracts expire after 2025? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

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