Russell Wilson believes this player was Pittsburgh Steelers’ unheralded star in 2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver room struggled outside George Pickens, but at least one positive emerged from the room. Third-year wide receiver Calvin Austin III started to break out. He set a career-high in receptions, touchdowns, and receiving yards, putting up 548 yards and four touchdowns while being a solid punt returner on top of that.

On the Pat McAfee Show, his quarterback, Russell Wilson, praised Austin has being the star of the Steelers’ offense that no one is talking about nearly enough.

“When you’ve got playmakers around you it always makes it fun,” Wilson said. “George Pickens is such a freak out there. Pat Freiermuth I thought had a great year. I think the biggest star to the season was Calvin Austin. His emergence and his work ethic. Those guys allow you to cook in a way.”

Austin suffered a lisfranc injury that wiped out his entire rookie season. In his second year, he was the fourth receiver who could downfield at times but looked a step slow compared to his Memphis self, and in his third season, it all finally came to fruition.

Austin now looks towards a contract year and hopes to become a key part of what the Steelers do in their passing game once again.