Insider: Steelers Will Have 1 Massive Regret After 2025 Season

The Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receiver room has been a major talking point from season to season. This time around, it was the team trading away George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. Before that, the team pulled off a blockbuster deal to land superstar wideout DK Metcalf, giving Aaron Rodgers a true number one target. 

While many still felt like Pittsburgh needed more help, Calvin Austin has stepped up and produced in a big way, showing flashes of being a reliable weapon in Arthur Smith’s offense. His speed and playmaking ability have kept defenses honest, which has been critical for the Steelers’ evolving passing game.

However, not everyone is sold on how Pittsburgh has handled Austin’s situation. Steelers insider Mark Kaboly revealed on Monday that he believes the front office made a mistake with the young receiver. Kaboly pointed out that Austin’s production has elevated him into a much more valuable role, but the Steelers didn’t make an effort to extend him before his price skyrocketed. 

"I have a feeling that the Steelers are going to regret not offering Calvin Austin an extension before the season," Kaboly said to his social media following on Monday.

With Austin heading into free agency after the 2025 season, his rising value could put Pittsburgh in a tough spot financially, especially after already investing heavily in Metcalf. The decision not to act sooner could force the Steelers into either paying a steep price or watching another weapon leave town.

For a team that has been defined by wide receiver turnover in recent years, this situation highlights the delicate balance between building for the present and planning for the future. Trading away Pickens, acquiring Metcalf, and relying on Austin’s breakout have all shaped the direction of the offense, but if Kaboly is right, the Steelers could soon find themselves in another difficult negotiation. 

Austin’s speed, versatility, and knack for making explosive plays are traits Pittsburgh cannot easily replace. Unless the front office moves quickly in the offseason, they may end up regretting the way they handled Austin’s contract, making this yet another chapter in the ongoing saga of the Steelers’ wide receiver room. 

The Steelers clearly value Austin and he has proven himself whenever given the opportunity. It is reasonable to expect the team will try to bring him back, but the uncertainty of unrestricted free agency means nothing is guaranteed. 

Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Has A Ton Of Trust In Calvin Austin

Rodgers connected with Austin on a beautiful back-shoulder fade in the Week 3 win over the New England Patriots. For Rodgers to deliver a throw like that to Austin shows just how much trust he has already earned. That trust came quickly, even after Austin made a costly mistake in Week 2 when he tipped a pass in the end zone that was intended for Pat Freiermuth and led to a turnover.

Moments like these highlight the confidence Rodgers has developed in Austin despite early setbacks. Rodgers’ future in Pittsburgh beyond the 2025 season remains uncertain, and Austin’s situation is just as unclear as he heads toward free agency. What the Steelers decide to do with Austin after the season will be one of the most intriguing storylines to follow.

Through the first three weeks of the 2025 campaign, Austin has hauled in eight catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns, proving he can be an impactful weapon in this offense. If he continues on this trajectory, his value will only climb higher, making Pittsburgh’s decision even more critical.

Do you think the Steelers actually made a mistake by not offering Calvin Austin an extension before the 2025 season? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me.

#SteelerNation