Steelers Fans Won't Love Kenny Pickett Talking Up A Much Scrutinized Receiver

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a well-stocked wide receivers room heading into the 2023 season. While all eyes are directed at Kenny Pickett, the second-year quarterback out of the University of Pittsburgh, no one should lose sight of the performances that come from his many weapons. One of the weapons that has been outperforming expectations at training camp is wide receiver, Gunner Olszewski. 

Olszewski is entering his fifth season in the league. He was an undrafted rookie free agent and originally signed by the New England Patriots in 2019. His NFL debut actually came against the Steelers when the Patriots beat them 33-3. During the game, Olszewski had two solid punt returns. 

Despite battling some injuries, Olszewski continued to impress on special teams. He was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week in 2020 as well as being named to the AP All-Pro First Team as a punt returner. The Steelers had been missing that spark on special teams for some time and eagerly signed Olszewski in 2022. 

Unfortunately what he seemed to provide wasn't the needed spark, instead, it was more of a dumpster fire. He was inconsistent at best and couldn't seem to pull in a punt cleanly. After muffing a punt during the Week 3 game against his old team, the Patriots, he found himself passed up in favor of Steven Sims. However, he still saw playing time, as he was frequently brought in by Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada. 

Now, the Steelers wide receivers room is stacked with talent including Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Calvin Austin III, Allen Robinson, Miles Boykin, Cody White and Hakeem Butler. There are more chairs than there are places to sit at the table which had led a lot of fans to believe that Olszewski will not make the team because there is just too much competition. 

Now it seems those fans might be wrong. Olszewski has had a solid showing at 2023 training camp so far. It is not just the media who noticed. He is also getting some love from his quarterback, Pickett. 

Steelers' Kenny Pickett Has Nothing But Great Things To Say About Gunner Olszewski

Olszewski wasn't just kicked to the curb like many fans thought he would be. In typical Mike Tomlin fashion, he is being given the opportunity to go up against the competition and win his job as a punt returner in training camp. He clearly has not taken that opportunity lightly and has been impressing the attendees. 

Taking many of the first team reps in camp, Olszewski has shown that he just might make it as the Steelers fifth or sixth receiver. Pickett is certainly impressed with what he has been seeing. He noted that the time the group spent together working during the 2023 offseason has helped their chemistry. Pickett told reporters at camp that one of the players he bonded with the most was Olszewski, per the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.   

"A guy I worked really hard with during the offseason, that puts a ton of time in, that plays as hard as I've seen anyone play is Gunner. Gunner he's reliable, he shows up every day, whatever position he's at, he knows all of them, he will stick his nose in there in the run game."

While the depth chart released by the team is hardly set in stone, Olszewski is currently listed as the second-string punt returner behind Austin. The path to earn a spot is hardly an easy one as White and Butler have also had impressive moments at camp. However, his road did get a little easier by winning over his quarterback.  

"I have a ton of great things to say about Gunner. I think he's a guy that kind of popped with me at least when I have seen him out here."

The Steelers and Tomlin are well known for wiping the slate clean with players from season to season. The mistakes Olszewski made do not have to continue to haunt him. While the competition is stiff, the job could be his to lose.   

Do you think Olszewski will make the final roster? How do you think the wide receiver room will shape up? How did you feel about how Olszewski was utilized last season? Do you want to see him back on offense helping with the jet sweeps? Click to comment below. 

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