2024 Steelers Exit Interviews: Calvin Austin III and Ben Skowronek
The Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 NFL season has come to a close. Because the Steelers are among the 31 teams who did not finish fulfilling their ultimate goal, they are in the process of wrapping up their season and moving forward into 2025.
Since the Steelers conduct exit interviews with all their players, and the fact I have done these articles in the past, we thought we would do them yet again here at Steel Curtain Network. By outlining two players each day, we will be able to look at their season in retrospect as well as looking toward the future. Since Coach Tomlin has previously stated he starts his interviews with rookies and those heading into free agency, we will attempt to do the same to some degree. To start, we will pair the most recent draftees with another player at the same position (if possible) as we work through this process to eventually cover the entire Steelers roster.
Next up are wide receivers Calvin Austin III and Ben Skowronek.
Calvin Austin III
Position: Wide Receiver
Years with the Steelers: 3
Years in the NFL: 3
Contract Status: Signed through 2025
Contract Details: $1,226,084 salary cap hit for 2025. Would cost the Steelers $126,084 in dead money if released and save $1,100,000.
Games played in 2024: 17 regular season
Games started in 2024: 8 regular season
Snaps (regular season): 593 (offense), 68 (special teams)
PFF score: 63.8 (79th of 133)
Notable stats: Austin had 36 receptions on 58 targets for 538 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Austin also had 28 punt returns for 289 yards with one return for a touchdown and one fumble.
Notes: After missing his entire rookie season due to injury, Calvin Austin is coming along typical of a fourth round draft pick. In fact, he could even overachieve his draft pedigree if he continues to improve. Although he is lacking in height, he makes up for it and speed. Austin will be part of the Steelers offense in 2025, the only question is who is throwing him the ball which may dictate the amount he is used.
Ben Skowronek
Position: Wide Receiver
Years with the Steelers: 1
Years in the NFL: 4
Contract Status: Free Agent
Contract Details: Contract expiring with no dead money.
Games played in 2024: 10 regular season
Games started in 2024: 1 regular season
Snaps (regular season): 101 (offense), 149 (special teams)
PFF score: 69.5 (DNQ for ranking)
Notable stats: Skowronek had 5 receptions on 5 targets for 69 receiving yards. He also had 7 tackles and 2 fumble recoveries on special teams.
Notes: I’m not always someone who is happy about how much the Steelers look at special teams value brought by players, but getting this amount from the last wide receiver spot has been a big deal. After landing on the practice squad to be elevated early in the season, Ben Skowronek has made Steelers fans forget about Miles Boykin and his special teams because Skowronek brought it to a new level. Even missing part of the season due to injury, the special teams contributions were very noticeable. Unfortunately, the Steelers shouldn’t expect to get much from Skowronek as a wide receiver, so they ultimately have to decide if their last wide receiver position is worthy of one of their key special teams players. If so, I think bringing Skowronek back next year would be a wise move.
Make sure you check back each day for another set of exit interviews. If you have missed any of the previous articles, they are listed here:
Troy Fautanu & Broderick Jones
Zach Frazier & Ryan McCollum
Roman Wilson & Van Jefferson
Payton Wilson & Patrick Queen
Mason McCormick & James Daniels
Logan Lee & Isaiahh Loudermilk
Ryan Watts & Damontae Kazee
Joey Porter Jr. & James Pierre
Keeanu Benton & Montravius Adams
Darnell Washington & Pat Freiermuth
Nick Herbig & Jeremiah Moon
Cory Trice Jr. & Donte Jackson
Spencer Anderson & Calvin Anderson
Larry Ogunjobi & Preston Smith
Beanie Bishop Jr. & Cameron Sutton
George Pickens & Mike Williams
DeMarvin Leal & Dean Lowry
