After losing Ray-Ray McCloud, Steelers sign return specialist Gunner Olszewski
The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t waste any time finding a replacement for returner Ray-Ray McCloud. Less than a day after McCloud agreed to terms on a two-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers, the Steelers are signing Gunner Olszewski.
Olszewski, who was with the New England Patriots, will get a two-year deal worth $4.2 million, ESPN reported Friday.
Olszewski, 25, was named to the Pro Bowl in 2020 when he led the NFL with 346 punt return yards and a 17.3 average per return. He also returned one punt for a touchdown.
Olszewski averaged 11.9 yards per return last season. He also averaged 23.1 yards last year on kickoff returns.
An undrafted free agent, Olszewski joined the Patriots in 2019 out of Bemidji State, an NCAA Division II school in Minnesota. He was a restricted free agency but hit the open market when the Patriots declined to tender him a contract before the 4 p.m. deadline Wednesday.
In his three seasons with the Patriots, he offered little value as a wide receiver. He had just nine career catches for 127 yards and one touchdown. In 2021, he played just 66 snaps on offense and caught two passes for 31 yards.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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