LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – He's a name you bring up when looking at the Steelers roster battle that immediately draws reaction, most of it negative. After falling in love with him in the preseason last year, Gunner Olszewski is working to battle his way back from a pair of fumbles that cost him his position.
"I didn't get it done last year," Olszewski said Wednesday. "I know that. I've made that my main focus this year is to do the job that is asked of me and not extend too far and do stuff I want to do. Do my job and do what I was brought here to do."
A strong preseason and the season-ending injury early in camp to Calvin Austin solidified that spot last year. Now Austin is healthy and listed as the top kick and punt returner. He's also listed behind Austin on the depth chart at receiver. The odds are against him, but why are so many not giving him a second chance?
When asked which receiver is really stepping up to be the fourth option, quarterback Kenny Pickett mentioned one name.
"A guy I worked really hard with in the offseason, that puts a lot of time in, and plays as hard as I've seen a guy play is Gunner," Pickett said. "Gunner Olszewski, he's reliable. He shows up every day. Whatever position he is asked to do, he knows all of them. He'll stick his nose in there in the run game. I have a ton of great things to say about Gunner."
Olszewski spent his offseason in Pittsburgh to be with Pickett. He was here the entire time and would throw with him Monday through Friday and sometimes they would golf on the weekend. When he wasn't catching with Kenny, he was catching punts from Pressley Harvin.
"Gunner does whatever you tell him to do as far as the dirty work," said receiver Diontae Johnson. "He gets the dirty work-blocking D-linemen, linebackers, stuff I wouldn't be doing. You like a guy like that is all about the team. Does whatever it takes."
"He's a scrappy player, dawg mentality. He played in New England and you know how they get down over there. He still plays a similar way to how he played over there. To see him out there doing that makes you want to go harder as well"
Olszewski believes he's had a good camp. He feels like he's shown exactly what has been asked. Whatever they want him to do, he does and does it 100%. He said that's all he can do.
"Gunner is a guy that's always urgent," said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. "He's a tough guy. He's a football player first and receiver second. You put him in competitive circumstances, he does football player-like things. That's why he's an attractive option maybe to Kenny and his teammates. The guy loves football, and he can't hide it."
"I appreciate him saying that," Olszewski said. "That's how I kind of carry myself too. All facets of the game, running, blocking, tackling if I have to, catching the ball, catching punts. I like every bit of it. I try to do whatever is asked of me and I hope the coaches think I can do a lot of different stuff."
That battle is real for him making this team. It's mostly for Austin who he admits to having a roster spot competition with. His attitude about it is helping him as much as he can. He works with Austin on special teams and shares whatever advice he can to make him better.
"I want the best guy to be back there," Austin said. "I think it's going to be me. I don't want to not share any information with him to give myself an advantage. I share everything and may the best man win."
You may never forgive the two fumbled punts, but why so much negative about a team-first guy who gives every ounce to win.
