Gunner Olszewski Hoping to Star Against ‘Ex’ in Patriots Sunday
PITTSBURGH — Some of the best stories in football are the revenge games for coaches, players, and personnel alike. Gunner Olszewski will be the player to focus on in the Steelers and Patriots week two matchup as he tries to get revenge against his former team. He signed with the Patriots out of college and played three seasons for Bill Belichick and company.
He felt as if the Patriots did not want him, and anytime he gets the ball, Olszewski wants to remind the Patriots of where they missed. So, if the former Patriot gets the ball in the receiving game or on a punt return, he wants to punish the Patriots. Still, he is appreciative of being in Pittsburgh right now.
“Yeah, it stings a little bit,” Olszewski said. “If you’ve ever been let go from a job or someone doesn’t want you back, it hurts.”
Olszewski glowing referred to the Patriots as his ‘ex’. New England chose not to tender Olszewski, thus allowing him to hit free agency and leave Foxborough. That is the part for Olszewski that stings the most. He carved out his career with New England but is still thirsty for revenge.
“Anytime you play the ex, you want to show out,” Olszewski said.
When he first arrived, Olszewski noted how the Patriots always talked highly of Mike Tomlin and the Steelers coaching staff. Even in an environment such as that, Tomlin became revered. That made Tomlin interested in coming to play in Pittsburgh, and he approaches games in Pittsburgh in a similar way to that in New England.
“He (Belichick) told us what type of team the Steelers are, and now I get to experience who the Steelers are and he was right about every word,” Olszewski said. “He sure knows what we do here, and they know what they do there.”
Olszewski only has nine career receptions. If he can crack the code this week and put up his biggest game, that would be satisfying for him. Olszewski wants to do more than just return punts against his former team. He wants to prove he can win as a receiver.
“Any time I get the ball I want to do something with it,” Olszewski said. “Playing the old team, the team that didn’t want you. Sure, I want to go out there and show what I can do.”
The Steelers will need all hands on deck against a solid Patriots defense. If Olszewski can help them beat the stout secondary, he may just be able to get the revenge he desires.
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