Wide receiver’s speed and timing fuel late win over Jets
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Calvin Austin III had been waiting for a game like this. On Sunday at MetLife Stadium, the Pittsburgh wide receiver finally showed how dangerous he can be.
Austin caught four passes for 70 yards and scored a decisive touchdown in the Steelers’ 34-32 win over the New York Jets. His performance stood out in an offense eager for playmakers under new quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
The defining moment came early in the fourth quarter. After a Jets miscue on special teams gave Pittsburgh prime field position, Rodgers faked a handoff and found Austin wide open for an 18-yard touchdown. The score put the Steelers back in front in a game that swung wildly throughout the afternoon.
Austin had already sparked the offense earlier with a 30-yard grab down the sideline, adjusting to a back-shoulder throw and creating the kind of explosive play the Steelers had lacked in recent seasons. His speed repeatedly challenged the Jets’ secondary, forcing coverage to stretch and opening opportunities for teammates.
Rodgers, making his debut with Pittsburgh, was efficient throughout. He completed 22 of 30 passes for 244 yards and four touchdowns, spreading the ball to Austin, Jonnu Smith, Jaylen Warren and Ben Skowronek. With DK Metcalf drawing double coverage and Smith working the middle of the field, Austin capitalized on single matchups and turned them into game-changing gains.
For Austin, the performance carried personal weight. Injuries, including a foot issue that sidelined him his entire rookie year, had limited his opportunities. At 5-foot-9 and 162 pounds, questions about durability and role have followed him since entering the league. But on Sunday, he looked like more than just a complementary piece. He looked like a difference-maker.
The Steelers will need that kind of contribution as the season unfolds. The AFC North is loaded with contenders, and Pittsburgh cannot rely solely on Rodgers and Metcalf to shoulder the offense. If Austin can consistently stretch defenses and make plays in key spots, he adds a layer of unpredictability to an attack that already looks more dynamic than last year’s version.
What made Austin’s breakout more significant was the trust he showed with his new quarterback. Rodgers placed the ball where Austin could thrive, and Austin responded with poise under pressure. That chemistry may prove critical as the Steelers navigate a schedule stacked with playoff-caliber opponents.
For now, one game has altered the perception. Austin is no longer just the speedy receiver looking for chances. He’s the player who delivered the go-ahead touchdown on opening day, proving he can handle the moment.
The Steelers left East Rutherford with a win. Austin left with something more — momentum, opportunity and the chance to redefine his place in Pittsburgh’s offense.
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