Calvin Austin III’s answer was simple, but it said plenty about where he believes his career is headed with the New York Giants.
After spending the early part of his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Austin is stepping into a crowded Giants receiver room that suddenly has no shortage of recognizable names. Odell Beckham Jr. and JuJu Smith-Schuster joined Big Blue on Monday. Darnell Mooney and Austin arrived after free agency opened. Malik Nabers is already the headliner, Darius Slayton remains in the mix, and Malachi Fields was added in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Just where does Austin fit? In his eyes, anywhere.
“Where do I fit in? I can play inside. I can play outside. And that’s something that people will see,” Austin told Go Long’s Ty Dunne.
For Steelers fans, that quote should sound familiar in a frustrating way. Austin’s speed was never hard to see in Pittsburgh, but his role did not always match his skill set. In 2023, under then-offensive coordinator Matt Canada, Austin felt he was often treated more like a gadget player than a full-time receiver.
His usage leaned toward manufactured touches, motion, and occasional deep shots, rather than letting him develop into a more complete target.
That changed over the next two seasons. In 2024 and 2025, Austin was used more like a legitimate wideout, and the production followed. He caught 67 passes for 920 yards and seven touchdowns over that span, proving he could do more than simply stretch the field or take designed touches.
Now, the Giants are betting that version of Austin can carve out a role in a deep room. He may not arrive as the top option, but his ability to play inside, outside, and threaten defenses vertically gives New York another flexible piece.
Austin gets a new chance to show that his best football was never limited to gadget plays or occasional deep shots. The Giants have options, but Austin believes he can be one of them.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Calvin Austin III hints he was misused in Steelers offense