Final grades for every Steelers free agent signing from 2022

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - AUGUST 20: Myles Jack #51 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a tackle during the first half of a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on August 20, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Courtney Culbreath/Getty Images) /

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Pittsburgh Steelers Gunner Olszewski (89)Pittsburgh Steelers Vs New Orleans Saints Week 10 /

Steelers signed Olszewski

Contract: 2 years, 4.2 million

Initial Grade: B-

Final Grade: F

I wasn’t against the Steelers landing Gunner Olszewski last offseason. The team needed a returner and Olszewski could also serve on coverage units for kick and punt coverages. Paying two million a season for a versatile special teams player is money well spent, so the Olszewski deal looked like a low-cost but smart signing.

That was all contingent on Olszewski being a competent special teams player, which he wasn’t. His early season stint as the return man was a disaster. Muffed punts and bad returns led to Steven Sims being given the nod to work as the returner. Olszewski was still on coverage units, but he didn’t make much of an impact.

While I never expected him to offer much on offense, he was still a poor option there as well. Had this been a minimum salary deal, the Olszewski wouldn’t look nearly as bad. That said, his play was a disappointment, and he was earning a respectable deal given what his role was supposed to be. This was a bad signing for the team.

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