The Pittsburgh Steelers signing of Marquez Callaway turned some heads due to his connection with Drew Brees but most people looked at it as another afterthought signing. With the Steelers lack of depth at the wide receiver position, Callaway is a guy that should be watched through training camp and the preseason.
Callaway brings a big frame and above-average return abilities to the Steelers wide receiver room. He stands at 6-foot-2, 204 pounds and was an All-SEC returner during his senior season. While he does not have top-end speed, he makes up for it with his physicality. Callaway ran a 4.55 40-yard dash at the 2020 NFL Combine.
Callaway is an option to play opposite of George Pickens on the outside as he did it for the New Orleans Saints from 2020 to 2023. He is among the taller receivers on the roster and with his previous starting experience, with a good fall camp, he could win a starting spot potentially but definitely has a chance to at least make the roster.
He will have to beat out guys like Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins for serious playing time but with neither of them being a solidified starting wide receiver, it is an open competition. The only three guys that are “locked” onto the roster at the position are George Pickens, Calvin Austin and rookie Roman Wilson. That leaves about three spots for a combination of Callaway, Watkins, Jefferson or Scotty Miller.
With the Steelers expected to run the ball often in 2024 under offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, they will beed guys on the outside that are physical and that can block. Blocking and special teams are where Callaway can make his money with the Steelers and if he can prove that he can do both in camp, Callaway may find himself on the roster when the team travels to take on the Falcons in Week 1.
17 • Marquez Callaway, Wide Receiver, Tennessee
6-foot-2, 204 pounds, 26 years old, 5th Season
Acquired: The Steelers signed Marquez Callaway to a reserve/future contract on Jan. 17, 2024.
Last Season: Marquez Callaway did not receive a qualifying offer from the Saints following the 2022 season and became a free agent. He signed with the Denver Broncos in March but was released as a part of the team’s final roster cuts. From there, Callaway signed with the Las Vegas Raiders and was placed on their practice squad. The Raiders released him just over a month later.
In November, the Saints and Callaway reunited as they signed him to their practice squad. He was elevated for three games last season but did not record any stats. The Saints did not offer him a reserve/future contract following the season.
Career: Marquez Callaway signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He made the Saints 53-man roster out of training camp and made his NFL debut in Week 2 of the 2020 season. Callaway earned his first NFL reception two weeks later. He finished his rookie season with 21 receptions for 213 yards but did not catch a touchdown. Callaway appeared in 11 games and started three of them as a rookie.
In 2021, Callaway’s role expanded as he played in all 17 games and received 11 starting nods. During that season, Callaway caught Drew Brees’ historic 7,000th career completion. He finished his second season with a career-high 46 receptions for 498 yards and six touchdowns.
Callaway’s role was reduced drastically in 2022 and started just three games. He did still dress for 14 of the team’s games but caught just 16 passes on the season. He had 158 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Over his four seasons in New Orleans, Callaway appeared in 45 games and started 17 games. He has amassed 83 receptions for 1,069 yards.
| Year | GP | GS | Receptions | Rec. Yards | Rec. TDs |
| 2020 | 11 | 3 | 21 | 213 | 0 |
| 2021 | 17 | 11 | 46 | 498 | 6 |
| 2022 | 14 | 3 | 16 | 158 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
College: Coming out of Georgia as a four-star prospect, Marquez Callaway committed to the University of Tennessee. He appeared in six games as a true freshman but caught just one pass.
In 2017, Callaway became a first-time starter and started 10 of his 11 appearances. He finished the season with 24 receptions for 406 yards and a team-high five receiving touchdowns.
Callaway started all 12 games as a junior and led the team with 37 catches and 592 yards. He added two receiving scores on the year. In 2019, Callaway started all 13 games for the Volunteers and finished with 30 receptions and a career-high 635 yards and six touchdowns.
Callaway finished his Vols’ career with 92 receptions for 1,646 yards and 13 receiving touchdowns over 42 games played. His 13 touchdowns rank 16th in Tennessee history while his three punt return touchdowns rank second.
| Year | GP | Receptions | Rec. Yards | Rec. TDs |
| 2016 | 6 | 1 | 13 | 0 |
| 2017 | 11 | 24 | 406 | 5 |
| 2018 | 12 | 37 | 592 | 2 |
| 2019 | 13 | 30 | 635 | 6 |
Salary cap and future: Marquez Callaway’s one-year contract is a veteran minimum meaning he will cost a reduced price on the team’s cap if he makes the final roster. If he makes the team, he will earn $1.125 million while only costing $985,000 against the team’s cap space.
Callaway will become a free agent following this season.