Steelers' Gunner Olszewski is playing for his NFL life in preseason Week 3
The Pittsburgh Steelers will play their third and final preseason game in a little over 48 hours on Thursday night. The final audition to make the 53-man roster, it's a critical moment for the majority of the 90-man roster. Gunner Olszewski is one of those players, as the former All-Pro has the cards stacked against […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers will play their third and final preseason game in a little over 48 hours on Thursday night.
The final audition to make the 53-man roster, it's a critical moment for the majority of the 90-man roster.
Gunner Olszewski is one of those players, as the former All-Pro has the cards stacked against him.
On the way out?
Olszewski actually had a terrific camp and has made plays in both preseason games. The problem is, those plays came at wide receiver, not kick or punt returner, the position he is best known for.
Those reps were given to Anthony McFarland and Calvin Austin III. And from a punt return perspective, you can see why that makes sense:
That means Olszewski's role has been relegated to basically a wide receiver only. Well, there are surely four names in front of him in that category by way of Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Allen Robinson II, and Calvin Austin III. That means the fifth and final spot will likely come down between him and Miles Boykin.
That spot is generally for someone that provides value on special teams, and if Olszewski isn't returning the ball, he provides little value in that area.
So, Gunner has his work cut out for him on Thursday night. He needs a performance that forces Pittsburgh to keep him around.
That means dominating second and third-team reps both at WR and returner. It won't be easy, but it;s what he's going to need to do to stick in the 412.
Featured image via: © Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
