Cornerback Desmond King, who couldn’t be any worse than Chandon Sullivan or maybe even Patrick Peterson, is reportedly being sent packing. The move leaves Pittsburgh Steelers fans wondering why not wide receiver Gunner Olszewski. The latter has been the biggest waste of a roster spot since Derek Watt. He’s cost the Steelers games — but would cost the Steelers more money to release and replace than keep him around. Seems like money should be no object and games should.
Turns out, we can also blame Canada.
“Offensive coordinator Matt Canada mostly asked Olszewski to run-block and take the occasional jet sweep,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Brian Batko wrote in September. “While those duties don’t exactly make him the most exciting player from the outside, it also speaks to what the Steelers value in him. He’s willing to do anything and everything on a football field, and while most players say that, Olszewski lives it. 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.”
As for special teams, Olszewski has done more harm than good. A 2019 first-team All-Pro returner for the New England Patriots, he’s looked anything but in Pittsburgh. Last year, he muffed a punt deep in Steelers territory against his old team and nearly lost another fumble Week 4 against the New York Jets.
This year, he’s somehow gotten worse. Where do we start? In front of the entire nation in Week 2, Olszewski toe-tapped the kickoff instead of letting it go out of bounds, costing the Steelers 30 yards. Perhaps that’s not the best time to show off your fancy balancing skills. Later in the same game, he gets clocked by Denzel Ward and loses a fumble. The Browns scored a touchdown four plays later.
Most recently, Joey Porter Jr. covered up for what could’ve been a costly mistake. The ball was jarred loose from Olszewski’s grip by Baltimore on a late-game punt return. Cornerback Kevon Seymore stumbled, or it would’ve been an easy scoop and score. The play set the Ravens up nicely in the red zone, and if it hadn’t been for Porter’s pick, it would’ve been an entirely different ball game.
Whew!
With the expected return of Anthony McFarland to the lineup, Olszewski (hopefully) won’t be returning kicks. He’s not even likely to be active if the Steelers are fully healthy this week. Heck, he could be released if bringing back McFarland, Diontae Johnson and signing Darius Rush puts the Steelers over capacity.
