Steelers Cut Ties with Former All-Pro Return Man

The Steelers have officially cut wide receiver Gunner Olszewski, the team announced on Saturday. With Pat Freiermuth heading to injured reserve and the return of Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh now stands at 52 players on their active roster before their game against the Rams.

Olszewski had been a healthy scratch in Week 1 when the Steelers had a full complement of wide receivers, but an injury to tight end Pat Freiermuth will make it difficult for the team to carry six wide receivers this week. 

Olszewski also did not play well when given an opportunity due to injuries. He caught a kickoff that was going out of bounds, costing his team 30 yards, and fumbled a catch and a punt return, losing them both. 

In addition to his tenuous grip on a roster spot, Olszewski had been set to earn $1.4 million in salary this season, nearly double an entry-level contract. 

The Steelers signed Olszewski to a two-year contract last spring with the intention of him replacing Ray-Ray McCloud as a slot receiver and return man. He lost his punt return job to Steven Sims early last season and only kept his receiving role because the team traded away Chase Claypool. 

In 18 games with the Steelers, he caught six passes for 53 yards, ran eight times for 39 yards, returned nine punts for 63 yards, and two kickoff returns for 24 yards. He had four total fumbles. 

The Steelers will move forward with five wide receivers: Johnson, George Pickens, Miles Boykin, Calvin Austin III, and Allen Robinson II. Pittsburgh has Deuce Watts, Dez Fitzpatrick, and Denzel Mims on the practice squad. It is unknown if the team will make a move to fill the lone roster spot they have left, but it’s possible that the team could go into the game with just 52 players and make the move after the game.