Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin missed his entire rookie season last year, but he’s not sure that was a bad thing for him in the long run.
Austin suffered a foot injury in training camp and never got on the field in either the preseason or the regular season, but he believes a year of professional experience purely focusing on the mental side of the game can help him.
“In the beginning, it was extremely tough,” Austin said, via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “just because I really wanted to go out there and be able to contribute right away. But I was just blessed to be in the position I am in, because from my teammates to the coaches and the training staff, how they all surrounded me and filled me up and kept me around, it made it to where last year was a blessing because I got to watch and learn — everything. And that’s why now I feel like, I know I didn’t play — but I feel like I got a whole year of experience under my belt.”
The Steelers’ coaching staff has indicated that the speedy Austin can help in a lot of different places, and this year he feels poised to deliver.
Gunner Olszewski began the 2022 season as the Steelers punt returner, but was replaced after he muffed two punts in a three-game span.
Olszewski had signed a two-year deal with Pittsburgh in free agency after three seasons with New England. He led the league with 17.3 yards per punt return in 2020, which led to him being named a first-team, All-Pro returner that year.
But in Week Two of last season, he muffed a punt against his former team — a critical blow that led to a touchdown in the Steelers’ 17-14 loss to the Patriots.
“You can’t change it,” Olszewski said, via Chris Adamski of TribLive.com. “If you want to define me by one play, go ahead. But doubt me? I hope you do .”
Olszewski has a chance to get back to his All-Pro form in 2023. But he’s expecting plenty of competition for it.
“I feel like they are hopefully going to try to give everybody in that room a chance to put their best foot forward, and I look forward to putting my best foot forward in the preseason,” he said.
“You have to earn a spot at the table, and that’s what’s so special about this game. … Last year, it felt like the job was given to me, and I don’t want that again. I have never had anything handed to me, so I am looking forward to proving myself to the coaches and my teammates.”
Undrafted rookie Jordan Byrd is likely Olszewski’s competition for the return spot, as he was an All-Mountain West honoree as a kick returner and punt returner for San Diego State.
The Rams have agreed to terms with cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, Jordan Schultz of theScore.com reports.
Witherspoon, 28, spent the past two seasons with the Steelers. He played only four games last season because of hamstring issues, totaling 20 tackles, an interception and two passes defensed.
Witherspoon entered the league as a third-round pick of the 49ers in 2017 and spent four seasons in San Francisco before two in Pittsburgh. He has started 40 of the 60 games played and has totaled 152 tackles, eight interceptions and 35 passes defensed.
The Rams have lost several players in their secondary this offseason, including Jalen Ramsey and David Long. Cobie Durant and Robert Rochell are among the top remaining cornerbacks, with rookie draft pick Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson expected to contribute.
Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward has faced the Ravens many times over his career and he’s curious to see what the offense will look like this year.
The Ravens made significant changes to the unit by hiring offensive coordinator Todd Monken, signing veteran free agent wideout Odell Beckham Jr. and drafting receiver Zay Flowers in the first round. They also signed quarterback Lamar Jackson to a long-term deal and he’s been talking about putting up big numbers through the air in the team’s new scheme.
Heyward has seen the moves and heard the talk about more passing , but he said on the 3 & Out podcast that he’s still wondering exactly what it is going to look like when the Ravens take the field.
“They had a recipe for success and they were doing it without Lamar for half the year,” Heyward said. “It’s going to be different for them, but I’m wondering if there’s going to have to be a mixture of both. Whether it’s staying on the same page as you had last year, or adding some things, adding some wrinkles, because that running game is second to none.”
Heyward and the Steelers will get a chance to get a read on the new-look Ravens before their first chance to face them. The two teams are set to play in Pittsburgh in Week Five.
Diontae Johnson played 31 games with Ben Roethlisberger as his quarterback, including two postseason games. He has played 13 games with Kenny Pickett as his quarterback.
It’s a work in progress.
“Repetition is for real ,” Johnson said, via Bo Marchionte of college2pro.com. “If you don’t have those repetitions, the timing isn’t going to be down. If you don’t have the timing down, then the ball is going to be all over the place. I feel like, knowing who you got, that has helped me out personally.”
The Steelers missed Roethlisberger last season but believe they have the heir apparent in Pickett, the 20th overall pick in 2022. It was an adjustment when Pickett finally took over the starting job from Mitch Trubisky, but Pittsburgh went 7-5 in Pickett’s starts.
“Whoa,” Johnson said, smiling, when asked about the transition from Roethlisberger to Pickett. “From my rookie year, having Ben, then to Kenny is a big change. You got an 18-year guy to a [rookie].
“Then there is the experience, but at the same time, [Pickett] is just as smart. So, the arm might not be like Ben, but he got the heart. He’s a good football player. He’s never going to give up. He is always going to try to be the best at throwing or reading. Whatever it is, he will work his ass off to be the best at it.”
Johnson had a career year in 2021, Roethlisberger’s final year, catching 107 passes for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns and earning Pro Bowl honors for the first time. His numbers were down last season with 86 receptions for 882 yards and no touchdowns.
Since Pickett has a year under his shoulder pads, Johnson’s numbers should increase from 2022.
“Hundred catches,” Johnson said. “Over a thousand yards. All-Pro. Pro Bowl. Championship. I’m humble. I don’t want to come off cocky or nothing like that. I’m humble. I just want to work and play football. Make plays.
“When I say that stuff, I say it in the humblest way. I know how it is, because people can take it the wrong way. It’s a blessing. A lot of people don’t get that opportunity and I just want to continue that.”