Steelers' Gunner Olszewski Will Have Extremely Limited Opportunity In 2023

The Pittsburgh Steelers are bringing Gunner Olszewski back for a second season. The former All-Pro return man with the New England Patriots fumbled away his job returning for Pittsburgh in 2022 and had very limited touches on offense. The Steelers did restructure his contract, according to Field Yates of ESPN, to drop his cap hit from $2.6 million down to closer to $2 million, but many are wondering how he fits on the team entering the 2023 season. 

The undrafted receiver out of Bemidji State is eager to prove those who doubted him in 2022 wrong, but it's questionable to see where his opportunity to do that is. Steelers insider Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, in a recent mailbag column, tried to explain why the team decided to bring him back for another year. Batko said that coming out of training camp in 2022, it looked like Olszewski might have had a chance to carve out a role on offense as a dependable slot receiver who could get open for quick gains and maybe pick up some short third downs. 

That never really materialized. He matched career-highs with five receptions and eight rushes, to go with a new best of 92 scrimmage yards, but only started two games and was used on 20% of offensive snaps. That reliable slot role is probably destined for offseason addition Allen Robinson in 2023. 

Batko added that Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada mostly asked Olszewski to run-block and take the occasional jet sweep in his limited time on the field. The writer said that while these traits might not make him look like the sexiest player for people looking from the outside, it does reveal some insight into why the organization likes him. 

"He’s willing to do anything and everything on a football field, and while most players say that, Olszewski lives it," he wrote. "Beyond his receiving involvement or lack thereof, he also puts his body on the line as a blocker, covers kicks and punts, really whatever is needed."

Camp darling Calvin Austin III is probably in line to steal some of those jet sweeps as Canada tried to work him into the offense in his real first season in the league after his 2022 season was dashed by an ankle injury. As for his blocking duties, the Steelers added big tight end Darnell Washington to help as an extra offensive lineman in the run game. George Pickens wants the ball on every play, but as fans have seen, he'll throw his body around as a blocker. Diontae Johnson is more known for his route-running ability than his blocking, but threw a key block against the Buffalo Bills in the preseason to spring Jaylen Warren for a 62-yard touchdown run.

Steelers' Olszewski Losing Ground In Return Game For 2023 

Receiver Steven Sims Jr. was awarded return duties in 2022 after gaffs by Olszewski against the Patriots and New York Jets. Sims moved on to the Houston Texans in the offseason, landing on their practice squad, but the team is starting the season trying other options than Olszewski. 

The team is opening up the 2023 campaign with speedy running back Anthony McFarland Jr. on kick return duties. Pittsburgh has experimented with the University of Maryland product on kick return in all three preseasons since being drafted in the fourth round in 2020. Now, he'll get his chance to make an impact on special teams after making the 53-man roster.   

Austin impressed in the preseason as the punt returner taking five returns for 107 yards, including a 54-yarder against the Bills. He's won the full-time return job to start the 2023 season and has the potential to be one of the most explosive returners the team has had in a while. 

The Steelers also have another option in the return game besides Olszewski who was listed on the team's first depth chart as the backup to McFarland and Austin. Newly signed cornerback Desmond King has experience as a punt returner and has scored two touchdowns in his career. 

Despite seemingly losing all of his opportunities on the field to make an impact, injuries happen. Batko said that even if he remains inactive on gamedays when everyone else is healthy, his all-around ability makes him a useful backup. 

Do you think the Steelers were right to keep Olszewski? What do you think he can do for the team this year? Comment below!

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