It has not been an easy season for the Pittsburgh Steelers' receiving corps. Amidst a barrage of criticism regarding their performance, the group has shown remarkable resilience and determination to prove their skeptics wrong. The chatter surrounding potential trades for a new wideout was put to rest by General Manager Omar Khan, who confirmed that the team is not currently engaging in any such discussions.
Despite the external noise, the receivers have channeled the skepticism into motivation. "We don't talk about it openly, but ... we're all human. We hear the talk and stuff. As players and competitors, we don't need any more motivation. ... But that extra stuff is a little, you know, we're competitors at the end of the day. So it's like OK, doubt me. Cool, we'll see," said Calvin Austin III.
Emerging Talents: Pickens and Austin
Among the bright spots in the Steelers' receiving lineup, George Pickens stands out as a potential future star. With aspirations to become a top-10 or even top-five receiver in the league, Pickens showcased his extraordinary skills by turning a short pass from quarterback Justin Fields into a touchdown, reaffirming his big-play ability.
Calvin Austin III, on the other hand, is a player with a mission. Though he has only 17 career regular-season catches, Austin left a significant mark during the Steelers' Week 3 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, scoring an impressive 72-yard touchdown. Despite his rookie season being wiped out by injury in 2022, Austin made his presence felt by catching his first career postseason touchdown during Pittsburgh’s loss to Buffalo in the wild card round.
Austin is also looking to make a substantial impact on special teams, with ambitions of reaching the Pro Bowl as a returner. "That was definitely one of those moments where it was like, yeah, I'm here. This year, it's just me doing the same thing. Continuing to work, stay humble, trust the process and just let everything fall into place," Austin remarked.
New Faces and Key Influences
The Steelers have added new faces to their roster, with Van Jefferson being a notable inclusion. Jefferson, a Super Bowl champion with the Rams in 2021, had a less impactful season last year, failing to catch a touchdown and connecting with less than half the targets thrown his way. Nevertheless, his experience and previous success are valuable assets for the team.
Roman Wilson, a rookie generating buzz with comparisons to Steelers' legend Hines Ward, highlights the depth of talent and potential within the receiving corps. As the team works to overcome the critiques, building chemistry with their quarterbacks remains crucial.
"Anything you have a new quarterback, it’s going to take time to build that chemistry. But the quarterbacks have been so up-front and forthcoming in trying to build that chemistry. We trained out in San Diego with Russ a couple of times and just continuing to build chemistry and those little things that coaches can't do for the players," Austin explained.
The Russell Wilson Factor
One particularly significant development for the Steelers has been the addition of Russell Wilson, a seasoned Super Bowl-winning quarterback. His presence has had a profoundly positive effect on the team. "It's amazing. Obviously, somebody my age, you've seen him in the Super Bowl and has been the quarterback for some legendary teams. It's almost surreal at first. ... Russ doesn't wanna do anything but to help the team and for our personal growth, too. He's been to the top, won a Super Bowl. He's pushing you to be a better person and player," Austin shared.
Russell Wilson's influence is evident in the extra hours the receivers are putting in to elevate their game. His leadership and experience are invaluable as the team navigates through the challenges of the season and continues to strive for excellence.
Overall, the Pittsburgh Steelers' receiving corps is a resilient and motivated group, driven by a mix of emerging young talents and seasoned veterans. As they work tirelessly to build chemistry and improve their performance, one thing is clear: they are determined to silence their critics and achieve greatness on the field.