Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers picking up a much-need victory in Week 2, there were still a few performances that left a lot to be desired. Perhaps most notably, wide receiver Gunner Olszewski had one to forget against the Cleveland Browns. In a shocking move, the Steelers opted to keep him on the 53-man roster ahead of the 2023 season. After his struggles in the return game in 2022, it was a bit surprising that he earned a spot.
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Steelers wide receiver Gunner Olszewski could be on his way out of Pittsburgh relatively soon, as he made multiple huge mistakes in the Week 2 victory over the Browns.
He was consistent in team practices throughout the summer, as he earned praise from fellow teammates and coaches. He's never been a massive contributor on offense, but the team trusted him to be a key depth piece of the wide receiver room. Just two weeks into the season now, and it's a move that isn't paying off. In his weekly press conference, Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin was asked if he talked with Olszewski, and he didn't hesitate in his response.
"Sometimes I don't ask questions because I don't wanna hear excuses," Tomlin said in reference to Olszewski's poor decision-making in Week 2.
If you didn't see, well, Olszewski saved a kickoff from going out of bounds by catching it. Not only did he catch it, but he essentially did a toe tap to keep it from going out of bounds. Now, on a punt, this wouldn't have made a difference. On kick return though, a ball that goes out of bounds gives the receiving team the ball at their own 40-yard line. It was a head-scratching mistake for a former All-Pro returner.
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Not only were the Steelers missing Anthony McFarland Jr. as the No. 3 running back in Week 2, but they also missed his presence in the kick return game.
That wasn't it either, as the former New England Patriots wideout fumbled near the end of the first quarter. He caught it in the flat from quarterback Kenny Pickett and while he did get hit pretty hard, it's still his job to hold onto the ball. Olszewski left the game, as he is still being evaluated for a concussion. It was just his 15th career catch, as he still doesn't provide much in the receiving game.
Have The Steelers Seen Enough From Olszewski?
Moving forward, it will be interesting to see if the team sticks with Olszewski. They obviously gave him a short leash in 2022, as he was benched after just four games as the return man. He did stick around on the 53-man roster, but it seems like his time could be coming to an end in Pittsburgh. It should be noted that the team used Olszewski in the kick return game because their primary guy, Anthony McFarland Jr., was out on Monday night.
The team placed McFarland on IR ahead of Week 2, so they will be without him for awhile. Now, the team will have to decide whether to continue to use Olszewski or send out a guy like Calvin Austin III instead. Austin has handled punt return duties so far this season, so it's a possibility that the team uses him on kickoffs too. Regardless, those mistakes from Olszewski are unacceptable, and it's clear that Tomlin is becoming fed up with him.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A5901-544x306.jpg "Steelers Calvin Austin III")
Jordan Schofield / Steeler Nation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
With the continued struggles of Gunner Olszewski, the Steelers may turn to Calvin Austin III as their primary kick returner with Anthony McFarland Jr. out.
It's crazy to think that he was an All-Pro returner just three seasons ago. He's been far from that kind of player in Pittsburgh so far.
Do you think the team should/will cut ties with Olszewski soon? With McFarland out, who should handle the kick return duties? If/when the team cuts Olszewski, what wide receiver should replace his spot on the 53-man roster? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, yinz!
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