Marquez Callaway brings size, physicality to Steelers’ thin WR space |

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ signing of Marquez Callaway turned heads due to his connection to Drew Brees, but most people dismissed the signing as a last-minute move. With the Steelers lacking depth at receiver, Callaway is a player to keep an eye on during training camp and the preseason.

Callaway brings a big frame and above-average return ability to the Steelers wide receiver room. He stands 6-foot-2, weighs 200 pounds and was an All-SEC returner his senior season. While he lacks top-end speed, he makes up for it in physicality. Callaway ran a 4.55-second 40-yard dash at the 2020 NFL Combine.

Callaway is an option to play opposite George Pickens on the outside like he did for the New Orleans Saints from 2020-23. He is one of the taller receivers on the roster and with his previous starting experience, with a strong fall camp, he could potentially earn a starting spot but certainly has a chance to at least make the roster.

He’ll have to beat out guys like Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins for serious playing time, but with neither of them being proven starting receivers, the competition is wide open. The only three players who are “locked” on the roster at the position are George Pickens, Calvin Austin and rookie Roman Wilson. That leaves about three spots for some combination of Callaway, Watkins, Jefferson or Scotty Miller.

With the Steelers expected to run the ball a lot in 2024 under offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, they’ll need to rely on outside players who are physical and can block. Blocking and special teams are areas where Callaway can make money with the Steelers, and if he can prove he can do both during camp, Callaway could find himself on the roster when the team travels to face the Falcons in Week 1.

17 • Marquez Callaway, receiver, Tennessee
1.88 m, 92 kg, 26 years old, 5th season

Acquired: The Steelers signed Marquez Callaway to a reserve/future contract on January 17, 2024.

Last season: Marquez Callaway was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Saints after the 2022 season and became a free agent. He signed with the Denver Broncos in March, but was released as 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 a little over a month later.

In November, the Saints and Callaway reunited and signed him to their practice squad. He was promoted for three games last season but didn’t record any stats. The Saints didn’t offer him a reserve/future contract after 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 recorded 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 earned 11 starting nominations. That season, Callaway caught Drew Brees’ historic 7,000th reception. He finished his sophomore season with a career-high 46 receptions for 498 yards and six touchdowns.

Callaway’s role was significantly reduced in 2022, and he started just three games. He still appeared in 14 games for the team, but only caught 16 passes on the season. He had 158 receiving yards and one touchdown.

During his four seasons in New Orleans, Callaway played in 45 games, starting 17 of them. He had 83 receptions for 1,069 yards.

Year	General practitioner	GS	Receptions	Playgrounds	Rec. TD
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: Marquez Callaway, who left the University of Georgia as a four-star prospect, committed to the University of Tennessee. He played in six games as a true freshman but caught just one pass.

In 2017, Callaway became a starter for the first time and started 10 of his 11 appearances. He finished the season with 24 receptions for 406 yards and a team-best five receiving touchdowns.

Callaway started all 12 games as a junior and led the team with 37 receptions and 592 yards. He added two receiving touchdowns 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 career with the Vols with 92 receptions for 1,646 yards and 13 receiving touchdowns in 42 games played. His 13 receiving touchdowns ranked 16th in Tennessee history while his three punt return touchdowns ranked second.

Year	General practitioner	Receptions	Playgrounds	Rec. TD
2016	6	1	13	0
2017	11	24	406	5
2018	12	37	592	2
2019	13	30	635	6

Salary ceiling and future: Marquez Callaway’s one-year deal is a veteran minimum, meaning he’ll cost less on the team’s salary cap if he makes the final roster. If he makes the team, he’ll make $1.125 million while costing just $985,000 on the team’s salary cap.

Callaway will become a free agent after this season.