{"id":186670,"date":"2026-05-15T01:48:06","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T01:48:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=186670"},"modified":"2026-05-15T01:48:06","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T01:48:06","slug":"ex-steelers-wr-drops-heart-wrenching-goodbye-to-pittsburgh-after-bolting-for-giants-emotional-farewell-leaves-steelers-fans-devastated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=186670","title":{"rendered":"Ex-Steelers WR Drops Heart-Wrenching Goodbye to Pittsburgh After Bolting for Giants \u2013 Emotional Farewell Leaves Steelers Fans Devastated!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Pittsburgh, PA. The Pittsburgh Steelers are saying farewell to one of their energetic young receivers as the team continues navigating roster changes during the 2026 offseason. A familiar offensive weapon is now beginning a new chapter elsewhere in the league.<\/p>\n<p>Wide receiver Calvin Austin III has agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $4.5 million with the New York Giants, according to league reports.<\/p>\n<p>The move gives the Giants another speedy target for their offense while bringing Austin\u2019s three-year tenure in Pittsburgh to an emotional close.<\/p>\n<p>Originally selected by the Steelers in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Austin developed into a versatile deep threat capable of playing both outside and in the slot.<\/p>\n<p>Despite standing just 5-foot-9, the Memphis product built a reputation as a fearless and explosive playmaker.<\/p>\n<p>Shortly after the deal with New York became official, Austin shared a heartfelt message thanking the city and the fans who supported him throughout his time in Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">BREAKING: The <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Giants?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Giants<\/a> are signing former <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Steelers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Steelers<\/a> WR Calvin Austin III, per sources. <\/p>\n<p>The dynamic Austin had 1,100 receiving yards and 10 total TDs (1 rushing, 1 punt return) during his three seasons in Pittsburgh. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/IKuJvwLKDl\">pic.twitter.com\/IKuJvwLKDl<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Schultz_Report\/status\/2032215514777375139?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 12, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>\u201cPittsburgh was never just a team to me. It was the roar of Acrisure Stadium and the family that believed in me from day one. Today may be the last time I wear this logo on my chest. Leaving hurts\u2026 because a piece of my heart will always belong to Steelers Nation.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Austin\u2019s journey in Pittsburgh was marked by both perseverance and flashes of big-play ability. After missing his entire rookie season in 2022 due to a foot injury suffered during training camp, he gradually carved out a role in the Steelers\u2019 offense.<\/p>\n<p>The 2024 season proved to be his breakout year, when he recorded 548 receiving yards and four touchdowns, averaging an impressive 15.2 yards per catch as one of the team\u2019s primary vertical threats.<\/p>\n<p>His 2025 campaign was shortened by injury, but Austin still managed 31 receptions for 372 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games before a shoulder injury forced him to miss time late in the season.<\/p>\n<p>Across three seasons with the Steelers, Austin totaled 84 receptions for 1,110 yards and eight touchdowns, providing Pittsburgh with speed and energy in the passing game.<\/p>\n<p>Now, the former Steelers receiver will look to continue his career in New York as the Giants reshape their offense. While a new opportunity awaits in the NFC, Austin\u2019s emotional farewell made it clear that his connection to Pittsburgh will remain a lasting part of his story.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pittsburgh, PA. The Pittsburgh Steelers are saying farewell to one of their energetic young receivers as the team continues navigating roster changes during the 2026 offseason. A&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":186680,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-186670","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Ex-Steelers WR Drops Heart-Wrenching Goodbye to Pittsburgh After Bolting for Giants \u2013 Emotional Farewell Leaves Steelers Fans Devastated! - NEWS USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=186670\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Ex-Steelers WR Drops Heart-Wrenching Goodbye to Pittsburgh After Bolting for Giants \u2013 Emotional Farewell Leaves Steelers Fans Devastated! - NEWS USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Pittsburgh, PA. 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