Calvin Austin III’s best NFL memory still belongs to Steelers

· Yahoo Sports

Although Calvin Austin III is no longer a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the best moment of his NFL career still belongs to the Black and Gold.

Austin left Pittsburgh in March after agreeing to a one-year deal with the New York Giants worth up to $4.5 million, ending a four-year run with the team that drafted him in the fourth round in 2022. His Steelers career had its ups and downs, but his most meaningful memory came under the bright lights of primetime football.

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In a recent interview with Ty Dunne at "Go Long," Austin gave rare behind-the-scenes insight into his game-winning touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens. With 2:20 left, Pittsburgh trailing late and its season on the line, Austin could hear Aaron Rodgers and then-offensive coordinator Arthur Smith talking about how to get him the ball.

“Nobody can take that from me,” Austin said. “They’re talking about me. Getting me the ball the first play of the drive.”

That alone would have meant plenty to Austin, but then came the play.

With 55 seconds left and Pittsburgh facing third-and-10 from the Ravens’ 26-yard line, Rodgers asked Austin what route he wanted. The receiver weighed his options quickly. If Baltimore played zone, he liked the slant. If it was man coverage, he knew he could go vertical.

The play clock was running. The Steelers had no timeouts. Then one Pittsburgh offensive lineman cut through the tension.

“Just cook him!”

Rodgers told Austin to run a stutter-go. As Austin came off the line, he saw Chidobe Awuzie’s eyes locked on him.

“Respect him,” Austin said. “But I think we all knew what time it was.”

As he replayed with Dunne, Austin hit the brakes at the 21-yard line, Awuzie slipped, and he accelerated into the end zone for the touchdown that helped Pittsburgh beat Baltimore, 26-24, and advance to the postseason for the third consecutive season.

The play did more than send Pittsburgh to the playoffs. It would be Austin's last touchdown in the Black and Gold, John Harbaugh's last game as head coach in Baltimore, and it became part of a full-circle moment for Austin. Harbaugh was fired after 18 years, a Super Bowl title, and countless playoff appearances, and Austin left Pittsburgh via free agency.

“I got him fired, so we could come together,” Austin joked.

Harbaugh’s unemployment did not last long. Less than two weeks later, the Giants hired him, putting him on the same sideline as Austin.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Calvin Austin III details Aaron Rodgers’ Steelers playoff moment

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