The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense in the 2023 NFL season did not make the team fans happy. It also didn’t scare opponents. But after plenty of changes in the offseason, including a switch from Kenny Pickett to Russell Wilson, the Steelers could expect better things from their attack in 2024.
Don’t sleep on Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III
Another possible reason for the Steelers’ bounce-back on offense in the coming season is wide receiver Calvin Austin III, who has been identified as an X-factor by Tommy Jaggi of Still Curtain.
Austin’s size doesn’t make him an ideal fit as an outside receiver, but he has all of the athletic tools you could ask for and he’s made a big impression with the coaching staff. We don’t know exactly what his role will look like this season, but [wide receivers coach Zach] Azzanni is clearly impressed by what he has shown during Steelers OTAs and minicamp.
A trade for a wide receiver isn’t out of the question, but Calvin Austin III could be an X-Factor waiting in the wings. If the Pittsburgh Steelers can utilize his skill set, he could make a significant impact on offense in 2024.
Austin stands just 5-7, but what he lacks in size, he makes up for athleticism. After missing the entire 2022 season due to injury, he recorded a touchdown and 180 receiving yards on 17 receptions through 17 games (one star) in 2023. None of those numbers jump off the page, but that also allows him to fly under the radar heading into the 2024 campaign where he will be looking to make bigger damage on opposing defenses.
In 2023, the Steelers were just 28th in the NFL with 17.8 points per game and 25th with 187.8 passing yards per contest.
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