Change is inevitable during the NFL offseason, but it’s magnified when an entire coaching staff turns over. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, that uncertainty is only heightened with 28 free agents set to hit the open market in March. That reality could have a significant impact on WR Calvin Austin III’s future as he prepares for his first free agency.
“Pittsburgh, just being real, they may not want me, or they may have a different vision. And that’s why I say at the end of the day, it’s just a straight business decision,” Austin said Monday via 92.9FM ESPN’s J&J Show.
Players typically go through exit meetings to gain clarity about their future, but with Mike Tomlin stepping down, that process offered little direction. The organization itself was still sorting through what came next.
“Obviously Coach T. did step down. Whether I stay or leave, it’s gonna be a new situation regardless,” Austin said. “Even if I stay, we have a whole new staff so it’s definitely something I’m excited about and been praying over.”
After losing his rookie season to a foot injury, Austin had carved out a significant role in the offense by Year 3. He was primed to break out in 2025, but a variety of factors prevented that from happening, including another injury that cost Austin three games.
He now has the opportunity to decide if his lack of a breakout was due to circumstances in Pittsburgh, or if his career is reaching a plateau entering Year 5. As he noted, he will be working with an entirely new coaching staff no matter where he goes.
“One thing is for sure: I love Pittsburgh—the fans, the people, the city—I truly love it,” he said. “And so I would definitely want to continue to make that home.”
Most first-time free agents go through a similar thought process about the possibilities. They may have several different voices advising them to do different things. Their agent is always going to look for the best contract, while it may be advantageous for Austin to sign a one-year deal somewhere with a high-powered offense to prove himself as a launching pad for a much larger contract a year later.
“At first, I was a little bit like, ‘Oh, it’s free, you’re a free agent. You’re not assigned to a team.’ So it can kind of be overwhelming if you allow it,” he said. “This is a blessing wherever I go or whatever happens. I’m definitely excited about it.”
Other than some of his Steelers teammates, many of his previous ties to the team were severed when nearly the entire coaching staff was let go following Tomlin’s resignation. Even some of his closer friends on the team, like fellow Memphis alum Kenneth Gainwell, are in the same boat as pending free agents. All of this will be taken into account when Austin makes his decision next month.
Another large factor is what happens with Aaron Rodgers. He and Austin were just starting to click together at the end of the regular season before the Wild Card Round brought an abrupt end. And while it seems like Rodgers is trending toward coming back, his decision remains up in the air.
“I feel like that plays a factor,” Austin said of Rodgers’ uncertain future. “Everything’s gonna play a factor. I have to think about everything. You don’t wanna make decisions and be like, ‘Man, yeah, I really didn’t consider that.’”
If the Steelers draft a receiver in the first round as many expect and also sign a veteran in free agency to supplement the room, Austin could quickly find himself as a rotational WR3 or WR4 on the depth chart. And if Rodgers isn’t back, he could be committing the next two or three years of his life to a team with no clear plan at quarterback. Most players only get a couple shots at free agency. He can’t afford to make the wrong decision and potentially derail his career.