Is Marquez Callaway the Steelers Secret Sleeper at WR?

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed former Saints wide receiver Marquez Callaway to a contract in January right after the season concluded. He was part of 17 signings they made for this front’s future. Callaway is one of the most veteran players of those signings, coming out of Tennessee in 2020 as an undrafted free agent.

But could he be something more than just an afterthought signing? Pittsburgh was surprised when they failed to replace Diontae Johnson fully and selected Roman Wilson. And while the team is obviously still looking to trade for someone, Callaway might be a sleeper option.

He spent four seasons with the Saints from 2020 to 2023, though he spent time with the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders in 2023. Over his career, Callaway has racked up 1069 receiving yards on 83 receptions with seven touchdowns to add to that total. In addition, he has some experience as a punt and kick returner.

Callaway is 6-foot-1, 205 pounds and ran a 4.55 40-yard dash out of college. He has become a part of the Saints attack as a slot option and plays special teams on top of that. Callaway is the type of veteran option that the Steelers look for on either the practice squad or as the bottom-of-the-roster type of player to give insurance.

His best season came in 2021 when he grabbed 46 receptions for 698 yards and six touchdowns. He has played in 45 games over his career, but played in just three games for the Saints this December after returning to their practice squad amid injuries to their room.

Callaway has 17 career starts under his belt, including three in 2022, but he failed to make the opening day roster for the Saints in 2023, leading to him jumping around those practice squads. He should get a legitimate chance to make a roster push in Pittsburgh, though it is unknown what type of scheme they will run and how he fits into it exactly.

The Steelers signed four other wide receivers in that period, too: Denzel Mims, Deuce Watts, Dez Fitzpatrick, and Keilahn Harris. Callaway will join a group of receivers who is already well-filled out on the roster, but with Miles Boykin’s with the Giants and Allen Robinson II released and Johnson traded, there could be a path for Callaway to make the team.

He is a physical player who blocks well and has experience on special teams. if the team makes no other moves to bolster that room, it would seem likely that Callaway has some inside track to the team considering his skillset and experience on special teams. So, this is a player to watch throughout the offseason program.