Steelers 2-a-days: Chris Oladokun no ordinary QB4; Gunner Olszewski signed to return kicks

Editor’s note: From now until the first practice of training camp at Saint Vincent College, the Trib will be running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, assessing each player’s outlook for the 2022 season. The breakdown will go through the roster in mostly-alphabetical order, two per day, between June 11 and July 25. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.

QB CHRIS OLADOKUN

Experience: Rookie

Contract status: $727,488 cap hit in 2022, signed through 2025

2022 outlook: Oladokun was the fourth-string quarterback all throughout organized team activities and minicamp, and he’s assuredly going to open up training camp in that role. Barring injury or a meltdown by one of the other three quarterbacks on the roster, Oladokun will stay the QB4, too.

But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a future with the Steelers, who clearly liked him through the draft process. They used one of their 30 available visits to the facility on Oladokun and then spent a seventh-round pick on him even though they’d already drafted a quarterback (Pitt’s Kenny Pickett) in the first round two days earlier. Oladokun started his college career at USF before transferring to Samford (where he succeeded Devlin “Duck” Hodges as starter) and playing last season at South Dakota State.

Oladokun fits in well to the Steelers’ locker room and has the demeanor and unflappability to make it as a pro. Some see him as insurance in case the Steelers trade Mason Rudolph — or as a means by which his presence and potential can allow the Steelers to feel comfortable enough to release Rudolph. NFL teams rarely keep four quarterbacks during the regular season, so that might be Oladokun’s best path to sticking around. Then again, don’t be surprised that if Oladokun has a strong enough preseason, the Steelers end up keeping all four quarterbacks.

Can Gunner Olszewski succeed where the likes of Allen Rossum, Dri Archer and Ryan Switzer did not with the Steelers? https://t.co/4VzkV90CqI

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) March 26, 2022

WR GUNNER OLSZEWSKI

Experience: 4th season

Contract status: $1.582 million cap hit in 2022, signed through 2023

2022 outlook: Signed to a $4.1 million contract in March (the Steelers have an easy “out” of the deal after one season, should they choose), Olszewski immediately became the odds-on favorite to be the primary punt and kickoff returner in 2022. He was first-team All Pro at returning punts in 2020.

A converted Division II defensive back, Olszewski was moved to wide receiver by Bill Belichick after the Patriots signed him as a tryout off their rookie minicamp. Improbably, Olszewski made the season-opening 53-man roster and never left it aside from injury over three season. The Patriots, though, did not offer Olszewski a tender as a restricted free agent, leaving him free to sign with the Steelers.

Olszewski played some on offense while in New England, and with the Steelers having to replace three of their top five receivers from last season, he is considered a candidate for a role (likely in the slot). It’s no guarantee, either, Olszewski will be the primary kick or punt returner in 2022. The selection of Calvin Austin III in the fourth round will likely lead to the speedy former Memphis receiver getting a chance to win the job, too.

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