When the New England Patriots signed Gunner Olszewski as an undrafted free agent on May 23, 2019, few expected the 6-foot-0, 170-pound defensive back from Bemidji State University to stick around. He had never caught a pass in college. His 310 career tackles spoke to grit, not receiving skill. But in the Patriots’ world of hidden gems and roster roulette, Olszewski became one of the most unlikely success stories of the 2019 season — and he almost didn’t make it past August.
A Dream on Life Support
After going unselected in the 2019 NFL Draft, Olszewski got invites to rookie minicamps with both the Minnesota Vikings and the Patriots. The Vikings saw him as a cornerback. New England saw something else: a return specialist with speed, toughness, and instincts honed on the defensive side of the ball. They moved him to wide receiver — a radical shift for a player who had spent four years at Bemidji State in northern Minnesota, playing in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The conversion was risky. But the Patriots, known for valuing versatility, were betting on his athleticism over his resume.
His signing came just after the retirement of offensive tackle Jared Veldheer, creating a rare opening. Olszewski got a $2,500 signing bonus on a three-year deal — pocket change in the NFL, but life-changing for a kid from Beltrami County.
The Cutdown That Almost Broke Him
By August 31, 2019, Olszewski was told he’d be waived. The Patriots needed to cut their roster from 90 to 53. He packed his bags. Then, less than an hour before the deadline, the team traded cornerback Keion Crossen to the Cleveland Browns. Suddenly, a spot opened. Olszewski got the call back.
"It felt like getting drafted all over again," he later told reporters. "One minute you’re done. The next, you’re still here. You don’t question it. You just play."
Debut, Drops, and the First Catch
Olszewski made his NFL debut on September 8, 2019, at Gillette Stadium, in a 33-3 rout of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He returned two punts for 35 yards — a modest start, but clean, smart, and fearless. Fans noticed. Coaches noticed more.
Week 6, October 14, 2019, at MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants, he caught his first NFL passes. Three targets. Two receptions. One for five yards. Another for 29 — a dart from Taylor Heinicke that turned into a first down. It wasn’t a highlight reel, but it was proof: he belonged.
The Injury That Stole His Season
By November 19, 2019, the grind had taken its toll. A nagging ankle sprain worsened, then a hamstring tear followed. He was placed on injured reserve — his season over. He watched from the sideline as the Patriots made a deep playoff run, his role filled by others. But he didn’t disappear. He rehabbed. He studied. He waited.
From Pats to Steelers: A Career Built on Resilience
Olszewski stayed with the Patriots through the 2021 season, evolving into their primary punt returner and a reliable slot option. He never became a star receiver, but he became indispensable in special teams — a role few undrafted players ever own. In March 2022, he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a free agent, where he continued to return punts and occasionally line up as a receiver.
As of 2025, he’s accumulated six accrued seasons — a rare feat for a player who went undrafted from a Division II school. He’s not on a Pro Bowl roster. He doesn’t headline highlight reels. But ask any Patriots or Steelers fan who’s been around since 2019, and they’ll remember: Gunner Olszewski was the guy who refused to quit.
Why This Story Matters
Olszewski’s path isn’t just about one player. It’s about how the NFL still rewards hustle over pedigree. He wasn’t a five-star recruit. He didn’t play in a Power Five conference. He didn’t even get invited to the Combine. But he had the right mindset, the right body, and the right team — one that saw potential where others saw a risk.
His story echoes other undrafted gems: Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, even Adam Vinatieri. They weren’t drafted. They weren’t supposed to last. But they carved out careers by doing the dirty work — and doing it better than anyone else.
For every player from a small school wondering if they’ll ever get noticed, Olszewski’s journey says: Yes. Even if it takes a roster spot saved by a last-minute trade. Even if it takes a hamstring tear and a year on IR. Even if you’re only catching two passes in a 33-3 win.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Gunner Olszewski go from college defensive back to NFL punt returner?
The New England Patriots converted Olszewski from a Division II defensive back — where he recorded 310 tackles — into a wide receiver and return specialist based on his speed, instincts, and tackling ability. His experience covering kicks and breaking up passes translated well to punt return duties, and his low center of gravity made him hard to tackle in open space. Coaches saw his potential as a returner before they saw him as a receiver.
Why was his roster spot saved by the Keion Crossen trade?
On August 31, 2019, the Patriots planned to waive Olszewski to meet the 53-man roster deadline. But just 50 minutes before the deadline, they traded cornerback Keion Crossen to the Cleveland Browns, creating a needed opening. The Patriots immediately re-signed Olszewski, recognizing his special teams value outweighed Crossen’s depth role. It was a classic Bill Belichick move: trading a backup for a high-upside specialist.
Did Gunner Olszewski ever play defense in the NFL?
No. Despite his college background as a defensive back, Olszewski never played a defensive snap in the NFL. The Patriots and later the Steelers exclusively used him on special teams and as a slot receiver. His size (6’0”, 170 lbs) and lack of elite coverage speed made him a poor fit for NFL cornerback, but his awareness and tackling instincts made him ideal for returns and short-yardage receptions.
What made Olszewski valuable despite low receiving stats?
His value came from field position. As a punt returner, he consistently gave the Patriots excellent starting field position — often avoiding fair catches and flipping the field. In 2019, his 17.5-yard average on two returns set a tone. Later, with the Steelers, he ranked among the league’s top 15 punt returners in 2022. For teams that prize starting drives near midfield, his impact was far greater than his yardage totals suggested.
How many accrued seasons does Gunner Olszewski have as of 2025?
As of 2025, Gunner Olszewski has six accrued seasons in the NFL, according to Over the Cap data. An accrued season requires being on an active roster for at least six regular-season games. He met that threshold each year from 2019 to 2024, even during his injury-plagued 2019 campaign, thanks to the Patriots’ practice squad rules and his time on injured reserve being counted under league guidelines.
Is Bemidji State University known for producing NFL players?
No — Bemidji State University, a Division II school in Minnesota, has produced very few NFL players. Olszewski is one of only two active NFL players to have come from the school in the past 25 years. His success is considered extraordinary, given the school’s limited exposure and resources. His journey underscores how rare, yet possible, it is for players from non-Power Five programs to carve out long NFL careers through sheer determination.