Steelers' Biggest Offensive Winner At Minicamp Revealed: "That Year For Him"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have wrapped up their minicamp practices, which gave insiders a chance to see some of the new faces and how this team is going to look in the upcoming season. Of course, it’s very important to realize that minicamp isn’t telling the entire story, but it does help paint a picture. While the offense still has plenty to prove once the pads come on, there’s no denying that this early glimpse gave fans and insiders something to talk about.

The wide receiver room has stolen the show after the decision to trade for DK Metcalf and then, a couple of months later, trading their own star receiver George Pickens out of town. That shake-up completely changed the dynamic of the offense and raised the stakes for younger players hoping to break out. Now all eyes are on players like Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson to step up and have big 2025 seasons.

Steelers insider Christopher Carter revealed on his Locked on Steelers podcast Friday that Austin was a big winner in minicamp. According to Carter, Austin looked explosive, consistent, and confident, which is exactly what the Steelers need from their receivers this year. With Metcalf likely drawing the top cornerbacks and Wilson still adjusting to the league, Austin’s growth could be a major key to unlocking this offense.

"One player in particular who has been stepping up is Calvin Austin," Carter said. "I thought Calvin Austin was extremely noticeable all throughout minicamp. He was still fast, looking sharp in his routes, consistently making catches, and making guys miss."

In the 2024 season, Austin proved he could step up, recording 36 catches for 548 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns. While those numbers weren’t eye-popping, they were a solid contribution to a Steelers offense that often struggled to find consistency. 

Now, with Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh, Carter believes Austin could be unlocked in ways Steeler Nation has yet to see.

"He [Austin] showed like, hey, this could be that year for him," Carter said. "We talked about this yesterday with Mike DeFabo after we talked to Steelers receivers coach, Zach Azzanni, about how things were looking for him. Zach Azzanni had high praise for him... I really thought Calvin Austin stepped up. He's looking really sharp. I am really eager to see, with a guy like Aaron Rodgers, even at his age—at 41 years old—there's gonna be ways to unlock Calvin Austin."

The Steelers’ wide receiver room is one of the biggest storylines heading into the season. Many pundits and insiders believe General Manager Omar Khan might not be done reshaping the roster just yet. 

There’s speculation that Khan could still have a move up his sleeve to bolster the passing attack. Whether or not that happens remains to be seen, but one thing is certain. Austin appears ready to take another leap in what feels like a make-or-break season for him.

Steelers' Calvin Austin III Entering Big 2025 Season

After the 2025 season, Austin will become an unrestricted free agent. He is playing for a new contract, and with Rodgers now in Pittsburgh, Carter believes this could be Austin’s breakout year. 

Another player to watch closely is Wilson. While there have been positive reports about his performance during minicamp, Thursday brought some concern after he reportedly dropped a few passes. That caught the attention of Steelers insider Mark Kaboly. Still, one rough practice will not define Wilson’s outlook for the 2025 season or his long-term potential. In fact, Austin had a similar kind of day two summers ago too.

As training camp approaches, all eyes will be on how the wide receiver group continues to develop. With Austin and Wilson looking to carve out major roles and Rodgers leading the offense, the Steelers may be on the verge of something special. The pieces are there. Now it is about putting them together.

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