Similar to last year, the Pittsburgh Steelers need more competition at the wide receiver position ahead of training camp, and an intriguing flier just hit waivers in ex-Kansas City Chiefs and Clemson pass-catcher Justyn Ross.
To be clear, Ross is no immediate Pro Bowl addition waiting to happen, but he could turn into a solid contributor who has yet to reach his full potential. Flashback to 2018, and Ross was a star freshman at Clemson who broke the 1,000-yard receiving mark in his age-19 season.
Although his football career took a dramatic shift not long after that, due to serious injuries, he eventually worked his way back to relevancy. Ross signed with the Chiefs as a priority undrafted free agent in 2022 and stuck with them until July 16, 2025, often grabbing the attention of fans with impressive catches during the spring and summer.
However, he only appeared in 12 games for Kansas City over his three-year tenure, catching 6-of-12 targets for 53 receiving yards and 2 first downs.
Fast forward to the present day, and on Wednesday night — with training camp just around the corner — NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero reported that Ross “asked for his release,” and was granted it. The veteran reporter added that “the one-time Clemson star gets a fresh start and should have interest.”
WR Justyn Ross Could Fit Steelers Better Than He Did Chiefs
In all honesty, Ross never seemed like a good scheme fit with the Chiefs, despite KC trying to make things work with the 6-foot-4 athlete for multiple years.
Kansas City’s offensive system is built for speedy playmakers who can either take the top off a defense or win underneath and rack up yards after catch. At his core, Ross isn’t really either of those things.
That’s not to say he has no speed or ability to create yards after the catch, but his strengths as a player are his contested catch ability and red zone prowess.
It’s true that Ross has yet to record his first NFL touchdown, but that’s more because the Chiefs have always had a logjam at WR — which is a problem the Steelers do not have. Ross had 20 touchdowns with Clemson in college, along with 2 professional TDs with KC during the 2023 preseason.
At the end of the day, Pittsburgh needs more perimeter wide receiver options across from DK Metcalf, being that most of their positional depth does their best work from the slot.
Ross plays outside, and he would likely only cost the Steelers a waiver claim or a low-risk, non-guaranteed contract if the 25-year-old reaches free agency.
Steelers’ WR Competition on the Perimeter Is Pretty Pathetic Ahead of Training Camp
The Steelers have been upfront in telling reporters and fans that Calvin Austin III is the current leader in the clubhouse for the WR2 role in 2025. But expecting the 5-foot-9 big-play threat out of the slot to suddenly blossom into a perimeter starter is lofty, to say the least.
Austin’s natural position is to operate out of the slot, as is second-year draft pick Roman Wilson’s.
In 423 passing snaps in 2024, Austin lined up inside 62.6% of the time according to Pro Football Focus. Similarly, veteran returnee Ben Skowronek was utilized out of the slot 66.7% of the time last season, and fellow vet Scotty Miller has the body of a slot specialist at 5-foot-9, despite playing out wide more often than not.
The Steelers did bring in a veteran on the perimeter in Robert Woods, but Austin’s competition — and Metcalf’s depth — is pretty pathetic heading into training camp.
Ross may not be the answer either, but he has talent, and he should be affordable. There’s no reason Pittsburgh shouldn’t at least consider taking a flier on him.
