When looking back at the 2022 season for the Pittsburgh Steelers, there were many season-defining moments that ultimately led to them seemingly falling one game short of making the playoffs. While you could argue that there were many plays during crucial moments in multiple games throughout the season that turned the tides against the Steelers, one play in particular, stands out with most Steelers fans and is one they wish to forget.
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Gunner Olszewski (#89) gets ready to take on the Baltimore Ravens in Pittsburgh, PA.
During the later stages of the third quarter of the Steelers' Week 2 matchup with the New England Patriots, Steelers' punt returner Gunner Olszewski muffed a punt at the Steelers' own 20-yard line. The ball was recovered by the Patriots and ultimately resulted in a two-yard touchdown run by Damien Harris to give the them a 17-6 lead. The Steelers did manage to score a touchdown in the fourth quarter by way of an eight-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Mitch Trubisky to Pat Freiermuth, but they ultimately fell short losing 17-14.
When looking back at that daunting Week 2 loss, Steelers fans can't help but wonder if the outcome would have been different and they could have been on the winning side of things if it wasn't for that muffed punt by Olszewski.
To make matters even worse, looking at the 2022 season for the Steelers as a whole, and realizing they only finished one game out of a playoff spot, makes losing that game to the Patriots even more costly at the end of the season.
Abigail Dean/Pittsburgh Steelers
Gunner Olszewski (89) hurdling a defender vs Cincinnati Bengals.
Olszewski ultimately lost his starting spot as the teams' punt returner after muffing two punts in three games. But Steelers fans should expect to see a new and improved Olszewski, as he is moving on from last year and has set his sights on making the Steelers' roster in 2023.
Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review got to speak to Olszewski about his 2022 campaign as well as what lies ahead for him in 2023. He is clearly focused on becoming the player he was back in 2020 when he earned a spot as a First Team All-Pro as a punt returner with the Patriots.
“You’re only as good as your last game and last year I didn’t have a good year, and I’m man enough to admit that. So all I can do is the things that I did to get me to where I was and do those again.”
Olszewski also added that he felt like the starting job was handed to him last season which is something he doesn't want to happen again in 2023.
“Last year, it felt like the job was given to me, and I don’t want that again. I have never had anything handed to me, so I am looking forward to proving myself to the coaches and my teammates.”
Steelers' Olszewski Is Set On Proving His Doubters Wrong
One thing Olszewski has done in the past is simply defy the odds and continue to prevail when the cards are stacked against him. He did not play Division I football, nor was he drafted in 2019. But after playing a crucial role in the Patriots' special teams and signing his two-year $4.2 million dollar contract last offseason with the Steelers, it seemed like he had his path laid out for him for the next two seasons.
But due to a subpar first season in Pittsburgh, there is no guarantee he will make the roster in 2023. Olszewski has embraced that challenge and is willing to prove all of his doubters wrong.
“If you want to define me by one play, go ahead. But doubt me? I hope you do.”
With how the Steelers' roster is laid out at the moment and barring a disastrous preseason, it would appear that Olszewski will be the Week 1 starting punt returner for the Steelers. They don't have much depth at the punt returning spot on the depth chart, so they will need Olszewski to get back to his All-Pro days and play a big role on the special teams in 2023.
What do you think? Will Olszewski be the Week 1 starting punt returner and have a comeback year in 2023? If not, who would you like to see as the starting returner? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below!
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