Training camp is an incredibly important time for head coaches and their staff. Management gets roughly a month to study the players on their 90-man roster and they will soon be forced to cut their team down to just 53 guys. Judging by the tight competitions we are seeing, the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to have some very difficult choices to make.
As some young players are rising to the challenge and stepping up to the plate with monster performances in preseason and training camp, other veterans are trying not get to lost in the shuffle. Here are three Steelers veterans who could be playing to keep their jobs against the Bills in Week 2 of the preseason.
3. Gunner Olszewski, WR/PR
During his time in New England, Gunner Olszewski earned All-Pro honors thanks to his remarkable special teams ability. Sadly, we didn't see that on display often during his first season with the Steelers in 2022. Olszewski took just 8 punts for 55 return yards, and his 6.9 yards per return was a fraction of what he had during his All-Pro season in 2020. It was also the lowest mark of his career.
In addition, Olszewski also hit a career low in yards per kick return on the Steelers last season, according to Pro Football Reference. For a player who has only earned 14 career receptions since his first NFL action back in 2019, Olszewski needs to earn his living on special teams. That could be difficult -- especially if Pittsburgh is thinking about handing over return duties to Calvin Austin III.
Austin was listed as the starting kick and punt returner on the Steelers' initial depth chart, but he has yet to showcase his skills during the preseason. Knowing that he could be either the final receiver on the roster or not on the roster at all, Olszewski will be scrapping and clawing for every opportunity to prove his worth.
A notable performance against the Buffalo Bills this Saturday will be huge for him. If Olszewski can get involved in some special teams tackles or make a splash play, that could grab the attention of the coaching staff. Olszewski has had a good camp, but it may still require a strong game against the Bills to keep his job in 2023.