Scrappy Steelers WR Impresses Way to Roster Spot

PITTSBURGH — Gunner Olszewski earned his way onto the Steelers’ initial 53-man roster. His inclusion on the roster might be slightly confusing for a guy who was signed primarily to be a returner and will likely not be. On most 53-man roster projections, Olszewski was left off, yet he did make it after a strong training camp. Mike Tomlin explained why Olszewski had to make the roster, which came down to his desirable traits that Pittsburgh loved.

“Toughness and versatility and smarts. He checks all the intangible boxes. He knows assignments at all positions. He’s a versatile skill set guy. He’s willing to do a lot of things and it’s appreciated,” Tomlin said.

Olszewski had a great training camp, proved reliable in-stadium, and is willing to do the dirty work that most other wide receivers do not want to do. With six receivers on the roster, the scrappiness is Olszewski’s defining trait. He and Miles Boykin do the dirty work that no one else in the room wants to do. Blocking on jet sweeps, sticking their nose in the fan on condensed sets, and other handy work that is not flashy of being a wide receiver, those two embrace it.

Tomlin argues for the Steelers to have various skill sets across their entire roster. Having at least one guy embrace those capabilities in the receiver room makes sense. On the other hand, Boykin is a special teams ace as a gunner. Their love for doing that is an intangible Pittsburgh values a lot more than the outside will perceive it.

“We are cleaner on our details now; whenever we step out there, there aren’t as many busted plays,” Boykin said. “Honestly, that starts with Kenny down. It’s being vocal, and Mitch is also extremely vocal. He knows what he wants and looks for, and we all bring something different for the room. Gunner and I are the scrappy guys and do the jobs that nobody else wants to do. But we love doing that. And obviously, the four other guys have huge playmakers and huge talent.”

Olszewski’s proven production in his career is not there, but a strong camp and solid preseason put him on the map to earn the spot. As a pure wide receiver, he was the 5th-best receiver in Latrobe. Tomlin and Pittsburgh valued those intangibles and the steady consistency he showcased throughout training camp when he made the roster.

No matter who you would talk to, from Kenny Pickett to Allen Robinson II, Olszewski earned praise for boosting the room in those intangible and scrappy ways. He is likely starting as a gameday inactive; if there is an injury in the room, the Steelers seem confident that Olszweski can help fill voids in the receiver room if those arise. That trust landed him on the final roster.