Ben Roethlisberger of the Steelers dismissed the hype surrounding Calvin Austin.
The Pittsburgh Steelers finally saw a boost from wide receivers beyond George Pickens, sparking discussions about who the team’s true WR2 is. Currently, many point to Calvin Austin as the frontrunner. In Week 3 against the Los Angeles Chargers, the third-year wideout caught four passes for 95 yards and a touchdown, including a standout 55-yard catch and run from Justin Fields.
With Van Jefferson out due to an eye injury for most of the game, the Steelers relied on Austin, Scotty Miller, and Cordarrelle Patterson to step up behind Pickens. They delivered well, combining for 141 yards, with Austin leading the way.
However, not everyone agrees on Austin being the team’s No. 2. On his podcast Footbahlin’, former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger dismissed the notion of Austin as WR2, stating, “Not Calvin. He can run, but he’s not your two.”
Roethlisberger also suggested that rookie Roman Wilson may not be a “needle mover,” indicating that the team is still searching for their WR2 and that no one should feel secure in their current lineup.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has downplayed concerns about the wide receiver group, urging a “wait and see” approach leading into Week 3. With strong performances from Austin and Miller, who caught two passes for 31 yards, including a crucial third-down grab, any lingering worries may have subsided.
Pittsburgh has until the trade deadline to seek additional talent, but they might also decide to stick with their current roster and hope that Austin can silence any critics.
