The Pittsburgh Steelers brought back wide receiver Gunner Olszewski for the 2023 season and many fans were surprised. Olszewski's inconsistent play on both offense and special teams created concerns, and some felt there were better options. That concern was validated when Olszewski fumbled the ball against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5. He was lucky that cornerback Joey Porter Jr. came to his rescue with a critical interception and apparently, he knows it.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter/x: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers returner Gunner Olszewski was a massive disappointment in 2022, as he lost his job just a month into the season.
The Steelers had a key matchup against the Ravens that would determine who would take first place in the AFC North. The Ravens came into the game 3-1, having only lost to the Indianapolis Colts. The Steelers came in 2-2, having lost to both the San Francisco 49ers and the Houston Texans. The wins the Steelers had were ugly ones, with the defense providing tremendous help to get the job done.
During the first half of the Ravens game, the Steelers offense struggled to get anything going. They just were not able to establish the run or connect any passes. Then with only five and a half minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Steelers were making a valiant effort to get back in the game, and Olszewski gave the ball away.
Steelers.com
Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. picks off Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson by reaching over the head of receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
The Steelers were trailing Baltimore by only two points and that fumble was recovered by the Ravens and returned to the 10-yard line. Steelers fans everywhere felt totally deflated. While Pittsburgh's defense had most played well thus far, it seemed fait accompli that the Ravens would score. Then out of nowhere, Steelers rookie cornerback, Porter appeared from nowhere and picked off Baltimore's quarterback, Lamar Jackson. Apparently, Olszewski was grateful Porter saved him from being more hated than Matt Canada for the next few weeks, according to Christopher Carter's postgame interview.
"He said he got me a little gift. So I'm waiting for that little gift. You know, he said he's always got my back and I said I've always got his," shared Porter with a smile.
Porter also told the media after the game that he knew the Ravens would target him. Of course they would, you have a rookie going up against a former All-Pro wide receiver in Odell Beckham Jr. Porter, who is the son of former Steelers linebacker, Joey Porter Sr., was able to use his incredibly long body to get in front of Beckham and make a play that would ultimately save the game for Pittsburgh.
Steelers' Gunner Olszewski Continues To Struggle On Field
Olszewski was an undrafted rookie free agent in 2019 who was signed by the New England Patriots. He suffered some injuries early in his career and spent a lot of time on the injured reserve, but when he was on the field, he made a favorable impression. After having an impact as a punt and kick returner, he was named as a 2020 AP First Team All-Pro. He continued to have another solid season in New England in 2021, ranking second in punt return yards.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (@JSKO_PHOTO Twitter/x)
Steelers returner Gunner Olszewski didn't have the impact that some expected him to have in 2022.
He signed a two-year deal with the Steelers in 2022 and has not been able to find that same success. Watching him play is a bit like watching Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, as he racks up the fumbles. In fact, he was such an issue that he lost his job as a return man.
Seeing him playing now is enough to give most fans heart palpitations. During the Week 2 win over the Cleveland Browns, Olszewski attempted to save a kickoff from going out of bounds. That would have been great if it had been a punt return where it wouldn't matter, but on a kick return, a ball that goes out of bounds would be placed on the 40-yard line.
Ball security has been an issue since he arrived in Pittsburgh. During that same game against Cleveland, he fumbled during the first quarter. He caught the ball from quarterback Kenny Pickett and immediately got drilled by a defender. But he needs to secure the ball immediately.
It will be interesting to see how long the Steelers continue to stand by Olszewski. They currently have his backup Anthony McFarland on the injured reserve and have been relying on Calvin Austin III and Desmond King II.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers receiver Calvin Austin III tries to escape a tackle against the Las Vegas Raiders during Week 3 in 2023.
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