Steelers third-year WR feels 'culture, energy' shift

The Steelers seem to be stuck in a state of mediocrity, having not won a playoff game since the 2016 season but always contending for a spot in the playoffs.

However, Pittsburgh has undergone several changes from its coaching staff to roster this offseason, and third-year wide receiver Calvin Austin III already feels a difference.

"With Russ (Wilson) as a leader, he's going to make sure we're all on the same page," Austin said. "Coach (Arthur) Smith is a great communicator, so we all know what our job is. So you can definitely feel the culture and the energy behind it."

Wilson and Smith will play big roles in turning the Steelers offense back into a feared unit, but Austin believes new wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni will as well.

"Mediocrity and him don't really mesh," Austin added. "If you're going to just come in and just cruise on through, no, that ain't gonna happen. … He's gonna get the best out of you."

Azzanni could be exactly what Pittsburgh's wide receiver room needs. Over the past couple of years, the group has been highly criticized for a lack of physicality and giving up on plays.

As a result, the room has undergone some change, too, which included trading Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers earlier this offseason. 

It won't be easy for one player to replace Johnson's production. The former third-round pick registered 391 catches for 4,363 yards and 25 touchdowns in the past five years.

Luckily, Austin doesn't think it will be up to one player.

"Diontae left his legacy here. You don't replace that. You just have new players step up and do their jobs," Austin stated.

Who those players will be is still up for debate, but Austin thinks one of those, of course outside of himself, could be third-round rookie Roman Wilson.

"That's my dog. You can tell that he's just ready to learn," Austin finished. "Roman's a baller man. He's going to be a great player."