Calvin Austin III: The Inner Fire That Fuels Him
Calvin Austin III doesn’t require external forces to get him going. His drive is self-generated, embedded in his everyday routine. Even without others pushing him, he rises each morning already motivated and ready to work.
For Austin, motivation is more than competing against teammates or trying to stand out in training camp. It stems from something deeper—an intrinsic push to defy expectations and reach his full potential. That inner fire has propelled him throughout his football journey.
“My motivation is waking up every day,” Austin said with conviction. “God gave me this ability, and I feel responsible for making the most of it. I’m driven by the desire to exceed the limits people once set for me. Just being alive and having this chance is enough to fuel me.”
Heading into the 2025 season, the Steelers’ offense carries a lot of promise. With newly acquired star quarterback Aaron Rodgers and top-tier receiver DK Metcalf joining the squad, the bar has been raised. Austin, who’s entering a critical year in his career, understands he’s not just an observer of that hype—he’s part of it.
“I know people are watching closely,” he acknowledged. “And I’m going to show them what I’ve got. Every single time I’m out there, I carry my past with me—the doubts, the criticisms. All of it drives me.”
Austin’s football journey hasn’t always been smooth. But those trials have shaped him into the determined player he is now. He feels that past limitations placed on him—especially during his college career—fuel his current ambition. Each snap is a reminder of what he’s overcome.
“This league is always testing you,” Austin explained. “There’s always someone behind you ready to take your spot. That’s why I always keep that chip on my shoulder. I’ve set high expectations for myself, and I’m not going to settle for less.”
His 2024 season reflected solid growth. Appearing in all 17 regular-season games and starting in eight, Austin posted 36 receptions totaling 548 yards and four touchdowns. He averaged over 15 yards per catch and made big contributions on special teams, including a 73-yard punt return touchdown against the Giants.
While those numbers mark real progress, Austin isn’t satisfied.
“I still have more in the tank,” he said. “Even when I have a good game, I know there’s another level I haven’t reached yet.”
To him, the idea of being the “best version” of himself is an evolving concept, something perpetually just out of reach.
“Honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever truly become the best I can be—not while I’m still playing,” he said thoughtfully. “If you think you’ve arrived, that’s when you get complacent. For me, I’ll only know what my ‘best’ was when I look back at my career after it’s over.”
Jonnu Smith: Big Man, Bigger Impact
Jonnu Smith, the tight end newly acquired from Miami, finally took the field at training camp after sitting out the first few practices with a minor injury. Now fully healthy, he’s diving into his new role and embracing the environment.
“This is real training camp,” Smith said, referring to the setting at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. “You feel it when you step onto the field. This is what the NFL is supposed to feel like—focused, intense, and humbling.”
Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 248 pounds, Smith adds a substantial presence to the Steelers’ tight end corps. His experience and physicality are expected to make a difference in both the passing and run games. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith—who previously coached Jonnu in Atlanta—is now reunited with the player, creating a unique dynamic of familiarity and opportunity.
“Our tight end room is filled with different talents,” Smith explained. “We all bring something unique to the table. Together, that diversity is going to give Arthur a lot of tools to work with. He can use 12, 13, maybe even 14 personnel packages and really make the most of our skill sets.”
He sees this as a chance to challenge defenses that rely on speed and size mismatches, especially against nickel and dime packages.
“A lot of teams now rely on quicker, smaller defenders,” Smith pointed out. “If we roll out bigger lineups and execute properly, we can really exploit those matchups. The key is being versatile—we need to dominate both through the air and on the ground. And we have what it takes to do that.”
Even with his history in Arthur Smith’s system, Jonnu recognizes that football constantly evolves. The core of the offense might be familiar, but the details are ever-changing.
“Every year brings adjustments,” he said. “You find ways to improve, build on what’s worked, and eliminate what hasn’t. Some concepts are new, the language might be different, but I get the vision. The foundation hasn’t changed, and that makes it easier for me to adapt and thrive.”
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Will Howard: Rookie Under a Masterclass
For rookie quarterback Will Howard, training camp has offered something most young players don’t get—firsthand mentorship from one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. As a sixth-round pick from Ohio State, Howard enters the NFL with much to prove. Fortunately, he’s learning under the tutelage of Aaron Rodgers.
“It’s a huge privilege,” said Howard. “Aaron’s a legend. I don’t take a single moment for granted. The way he’s taken time to help me—that means everything. He doesn’t have to do that, but he has. I’m incredibly grateful.”
Howard has quickly noticed the improvement in his game since minicamp ended a month ago. He’s made progress physically and mentally, reshaping his body and refining his mechanics.
“I’ve lost some weight, gotten more agile, and I think I’m throwing better than ever,” Howard said. “I feel good. And I’m just excited to keep progressing.”
But Howard knows that physical talent only goes so far in the NFL. The real challenge lies between the ears.
“In this league, everybody is talented,” he explained. “What sets the great ones apart is what they do mentally. The ability to process information, anticipate plays, and read defenses quickly—that’s what I’m working on now.”
Learning from Rodgers has only emphasized that point.
“Watching Aaron’s brain work is amazing,” he said. “He processes information at such a high level. I’m soaking up everything I can because I want to achieve that kind of longevity and success.”
Being at Saint Vincent College has also been a special experience for Howard. He compares the tradition there to what he experienced at Ohio State.
“Not many NFL teams go offsite for camp anymore,” Howard said. “But it builds chemistry, and the energy here is special. It feels like a college atmosphere in the best way. The fans are passionate, loyal, and it’s exciting to be part of something with so much tradition.”
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Chuck Clark: Return of the Veteran Leader
Chuck Clark is no stranger to NFL competition, but the last two years have tested him in unexpected ways. After missing all of 2023 and five games in 2024 due to injury, he’s finally back—and feeling like himself again.
“Yes, I’m back,” Clark confirmed. “Injuries are part of the game. You’ve got to take the bad with the good. I worked hard during the recovery process, and I feel like I’ve returned to my old form. That chapter is behind me.”
Prior to the setbacks, Clark had been one of the most dependable safeties in the league. He started 49 straight games for Baltimore between 2020 and 2022 before moving to the Jets, where he started 12 games in 2024 despite missing a few weeks.
Now with the Steelers, Clark brings not just experience, but also leadership and versatility to a secondary that is filled with potential but still forming its identity.
“There’s a lot of knowledge in this group,” he said. “Each guy offers something different—whether it’s speed, vision, instincts, or physicality. I’m excited to work with this unit. We’ve got the right tools.”
Joining a new team mid-camp isn’t the typical route for a veteran, but Clark isn’t concerned.
“This is new for me,” he admitted. “But at the end of the day, football is football. It’s just about learning the language and understanding the playbook. I’ve been around long enough to adapt quickly.”
Even with the change in terminology and schemes, Clark is confident he’ll be able to integrate seamlessly.
“I know how to play this game,” he said. “Now it’s just about reps, chemistry, and sharpening the mental side so I can play fast and instinctively again.”
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Conclusion: A Roster With Purpose
From the self-driven Calvin Austin III to the hungry rookie Will Howard, and from the seasoned tight end Jonnu Smith to the battle-tested Chuck Clark, this year’s Steelers training camp is rich with stories of growth, redemption, and opportunity.
Austin is out to prove the doubters wrong and cement his place in a revamped offense. Smith sees his return to Arthur Smith’s scheme as a chance to redefine the role of tight ends in the modern NFL. Howard is quietly laying the groundwork for a future beyond Rodgers’ reign, and Clark is embracing a comeback mission with wisdom and perspective.
Together, these players reflect the larger theme surrounding the Steelers’ 2025 campaign: the blending of youthful ambition and veteran insight.
And as the grind of camp continues at Saint Vincent College, one thing is clear—this team is not lacking hunger, heart, or humility.
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