Report: Steelers to Sign Former Patriots WR/KR Gunner Olszewski to 2-Year, $4.2 Million Deal
The Steelers are signing former Patriots wide receiver and return specialist Gunner Olszewski to a two-year, $4.2 million deal https://twitter.com/Steelersdepot/status/1478439496064520193?s=20&t=X-hI6A7zZbRbidsViwLiRA”>according
to a report by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The contract comes on the heels of the Steelers losing both returner Ray-Ray McCloud to the 49ers and starting slot receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster to the Chiefs. As such, the Steelers now add to a receiving corps that is also unlikely to re-sign James Washington to a new deal after he requested a trade last summer.
Olszewski came out of Divison-II Bemidji State University and cracked the New England Patriots roster in 2019. Being one of the top returners in the NFL over that top, Olszewski was an All-Pro selection in 2020 due to his returning ability. He racked up 346 return yards on 20 punts and a touchdown.
In 2021, Olszewski averaged 23.1 yards per kick return and 11.9 yards per punt return, both marks in the top half of the NFL among full-time returners. Over his three years with New England, Olszewski has only caught nine passes for 127 yards and a touchdown.
Olszewski also plays on special teams coverage units, racking up seven special teams tackles in 2021. As such, Olszewski will likely find himself a core special teamer on top of being a returner. He will likely be a depth wide receiver in case of injury. The Steelers appear likely to address wide receiver in the NFL Draft.
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