Tag: Calvin Austin III

Should Steelers trade Calvin Austin III for Rams star WR Cooper Kupp?

The Steelers could make a strong trade offer for Rams WR Cooper Kupp, and Calvin Austin III may be the key to making it happen.

It’s no secret that one of the biggest names on the wide receiver trade market is none other than Rams superstar Cooper Kupp. Kupp has been a staple of the Rams’ offense since being drafted in 2017, and with his time in Los Angeles eventually coming to an end, the Pittsburgh Steelers could offer a deal that no one could refuse.

One of the key speculative trade packages surrounding Kupp involves either a Day 2 or Day 3 draft selection, potentially two of the latter. However, the Rams would be losing one of their best receivers with little compensation to draft Kupp’s replacement—and that is where Pittsburgh Steelers WR Calvin Austin III comes into play.

Austin has everything the Rams would want in a short-term WR2/3 replacement for the 2025 season—he’s fast, he’s cheap, he returns punts, and he’s young.

It’s hard to argue that the Rams could receive a better package than a fifth- or sixth-rounder and Austin for Kupp. If the Pittsburgh Steelers want the former 2021 Triple Crown wide receiver in the Steel City for 2025, the team should bid farewell to Austin.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers receive bad news ahead of 2025 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers won’t have any compensatory picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, limiting their chances to add another hidden gem.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have proven themselves adept at selecting elite talent with compensatory picks in the NFL Draft—and it has now been confirmed that they will receive none of these selections.

Some of the biggest home-run hits from the compensatory picks made by the Pittsburgh Steelers include legends like Hines Ward, elite playmakers like RB James Conner and OLB Alex Highsmith, and rising stars like WR Calvin Austin III. It is nothing short of bad news that the Steel City will have no opportunity to add to this list in 2025.

While the compensatory pick system is complicated, it can typically be summed up by determining whether a team lost more free agents than they signed in an offseason—which the Pittsburgh Steelers did not in 2024.

While Pittsburgh’s 2024 NFL Draft class proved that GM Omar Khan and the Steelers’ front office are more than capable of finding elite talent throughout all seven rounds, it is troubling that the team will be without any compensatory picks heading into the 2025 NFL Draft.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

NFL reveals officiating mistake with fines for Steelers-Eagles fight

The NFL’s fines after the Steelers-Eagles fight expose officiating errors from Week 15’s heated altercation.

It appears the NFL is attempting to right the wrong from the terrible officiating on the penalty resulting from the Week 15 skirmish between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles.

The fight in question saw Steelers TE Darnell Washington take his blocking assignment a little too far, Eagles CBs Darius Slay Jr. and Quinyon Mitchell throw haymakers, and Steelers WR Calvin Austin III defend his teammate. However, the NFL initially only penalized the Black and Gold, claiming they had not seen any punches thrown by Philadelphia. Footage emerged following the game, clearly showing Slay punching Washington.

Almost a week later, the NFL has seemingly realized its mistake while handing out fines. While Austin and Washington were also fined—$6,173 and $6,760 respectively—it is nowhere close to the amount Mitchell and Slay are being charged, with both fined $14,069 each for their involvement.

Did the NFL do enough to correct the awful call from the Steelers-Eagles game? One could argue they did, but it’s a mistake that may have contributed to the Black and Gold’s loss.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

‘Hard Knocks’ shows what officials said to anger Mike Tomlin vs Eagles

Officials’ unseen exchange with Mike Tomlin highlights one of the worst excuses after a controversial Week 15 Steelers penalty.

Viewers of this week’s new episode of Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North, were treated to what led to Steelers HC Mike Tomlin profanely telling officials to get away from him.

Before Tomlin’s choice words to the officials, he questioned why they decided to call such a heinous penalty on both Steelers players: “Y’all didn’t see that guy throwing punches for Philadelphia?”

The official speaking to Tomlin then provided the most embarrassing excuse one could imagine, claiming the Eagles player was “knocking his hands off him.”

Fans who saw up-close footage of the altercation could clearly see that while Steelers TE Darnell Washington blocked CB Darius Slay Jr. for an extended period, the Eagles cornerback was the first to throw punches.

No wonder Tomlin was so bewildered with the officiating crew during Week 16’s contest between the Steelers and Eagles. Not only was Pittsburgh wrongly penalized for the skirmish, but he was also given one of the worst officiating excuses imaginable.

As the Steelers prepare for the Ravens in Week 16, hopefully the team can put these wrongful penalties behind them, with the stakes higher than ever in the upcoming AFC North showdown—a chance at the divisional title.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Mike Tomlin offers some choice words to officials in Week 15

Following a personal foul penalty, Mike Tomlin’s choice words for officials highlighted his frustration during the Steelers-Eagles matchup.

In what can only be described as a chaotic start to Week 15’s contest between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles, head coach Mike Tomlin was clearly heated after watching his team surrender 10 points in the first quarter.

Following a physical altercation between the Steelers and Eagles, Tomlin was visibly frustrated that the officials only penalized Pittsburgh for the fight. Fans could clearly see Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell land a strike on Calvin Austin III, but the officiating crew appeared to miss it.

The personal foul penalty cost the Pittsburgh Steelers 15 yards, and Tomlin made his displeasure known to the officials in no uncertain terms.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MLFootball (@_mlfootball)

Yikes! Players and coaches have been fined for less when it comes to their interactions with officials, and it remains to be seen if the NFL will involve themselves due to Tomlin’s profanity-filled statement directed at the officiating crew.

One thing remains certain, however—it is probably best to leave Tomlin alone when you’re calling a penalty against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Fight erupts between Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles

A heated brawl erupted during the Steelers’ Week 15 contest after a physical altercation involving Darnell Washington and Calvin Austin.

George Pickens may have missed the Week 15 matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, but his chaotic spirit lived on through some of his teammates early in the contest.

Steelers TE Darnell Washington—known for his impressive ability and willingness to block—did his best Pickens impersonation by driving Philadelphia Eagles CB Darius Slay all the way out of the end zone and slamming him into the stands.

The physical altercation took a turn for the worse when WR Calvin Austin III got involved, shoving CB Quinton Mitchell, who was near the pile of bodies. Mitchell seemingly landed a swing on Austin, but the officials must have missed that part of the action, as only Austin and Washington were penalized for the altercation.

Ultimately, the physical nature of the interaction that caused the penalty would stall the Pittsburgh Steelers’ scoring opportunity. The situation mirrored Pickens’ block attempt on Browns CB Greg Newsome II back in Week 12, where he drove the defender into the stands to end the game.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Who misses who more: Diontae Johnson or the Pittsburgh Steelers?

With Pickens injured and Johnson causing drama in Baltimore, it’s unclear who’s missing who more—Diontae Johnson or the Steelers.

What a difference a week makes! Heading into Week 14, the Pittsburgh Steelers WR room seemed to have found its groove: the alpha in George Pickens, the deep threat in Calvin Austin III, and the big-bodied Mike Williams. However, following a last-minute hamstring injury to Pickens, which may jeopardize his availability over the next few weeks, the Steelers may regret trading away former All-Pro WR Diontae Johnson this past offseason.

Johnson was traded to the Carolina Panthers nine months ago in March 2024 for CB Donte Jackson, and was then traded to the Baltimore Ravens on October 29. There appears to be an issue with Johnson’s usage in the Ravens’ offensive scheme, leading to him refusing to play during Baltimore’s Week 13 contest against the Eagles, resulting in a one-game suspension.

While fans may be quick to disparage Johnson’s value for drama-related reasons, Pickens may have ultimately been more dramatic and disruptive this season.

Nevertheless, the only exception is the fantastic acquisition of Jackson, with WR depth still an issue and Johnson unhappy in Baltimore; both sides likely would have benefitted if the trade had never taken place.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Could Odell Beckham Jr. sign with the receiver-hungry Steelers?

With the Pittsburgh Steelers in desperate need of WR help, could the team potentially sign the recently released Odell Beckham Jr.?

In what is shaping up to be an up-and-down roller coaster for the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver room over the past few weeks, one recently released Miami Dolphins receiver could make all the difference for the Black and Gold.

Former All-Pro WR Odell Beckham Jr. and the Dolphins have mutually agreed to part ways, with Beckham seeking opportunities for playing time elsewhere.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were in desperate need of receiver help heading into the 2024 regular season, and it remains their biggest area of concern with major implications looming over the next few weeks.

With Steelers WR George Pickens out with a hamstring injury and no return date given, Beckham and the Steel City seem like a match made in Heaven.

Beckham would instantly be an upgrade to the depleted Steelers wide receiver room, and when Pickens is healthy, this terrifying tandem would be tough for opposing secondaries to contain. In the meantime, Pittsburgh Steelers WRs Calvin Austin III, Mike Williams, Van Jefferson, and Scotty Miller will do their best to fill the void left by Pickens.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Week 15: Should you drop George Pickens in fantasy football?

Fantasy football managers may need to decide whether to keep George Pickens on their roster as he may miss the entirety of their playoffs.

For the lucky few fantasy football fanatics who have made it into the playoffs, congratulations are in order! However, if Steelers WR George Pickens is on your roster, things may be looking grim.

While league settings may vary, the majority of fantasy football leagues will be playing their playoffs between Weeks 15 and 17—the weeks Pickens might miss, according to one Steelers insider.

It is unlikely Pickens will end up on IR, forcing fantasy managers to decide if the Steelers WR is worth keeping around ultimately. His absence from Week 15 is all but confirmed, and insiders seem to agree that Pickens may not be able to recover from his hamstring injury in time for Weeks 16 and 17.

If Pickens is on your roster, it is important to consider when, if at all, he will return to action in the regular season. Can your roster sustain having the Pittsburgh Steelers WR taking up a spot on the bench, or will you ultimately need to let him go in favor of some other potential breakout Steelers players, like WR Mike Williams, WR Calvin Austin III, or TE Pat Freiermuth?

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Will Calvin Austin III play this week? Injury updates for Steelers WR

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin, is dealing with a concussion sustained in Cincinnati Bengals game. Here’s the latest update.

In Week 13, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin took a massive hit from Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither, penalized for pass interference on the play. Austin did return to catch a 23-yard touchdown in the second quarter but suffered another blow later in the game, leading to a concussion evaluation.

In an interview with reporters on Friday, Austin said he’s good to play on Sunday.

Calvin Austin III injury update

Austin improved from limited to full practice participant on Thursday. Russell Wilson could use him since wide receivers not named George Pickens haven’t done squat.

Austin is tied with Pat Freiermuth for the most touchdowns by a receiver with four.

Steelers wide receiver depth chart

Mike Williams, acquired via trade with the New York Jets last month, remains behind Austin and Van Jefferson on Pittsburgh’s depth chart. Williams has primarily been deployed as a blocker and has no stats since catching a 32-yard touchdown in his Steelers’ debut.

Heck, WR4 Ben Skowronek has seen more action than Williams.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]