Gunner Olszewski Bio
Kaleb Gunner Olszewski is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist for the New York Giants of the National Football League. Originally from Alvin, Texas, Olszewski played college football at Bemidji State University as a cornerback before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots in 2019. Over his professional career, Olszewski has established himself as an exceptional special teams performer, earning First-team All-Pro honors in 2020 as the NFL punt return yards leader. He has also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers before joining the Giants in 2023.
Early Life and Background
Olszewski was born on November 26, 1996, in Alvin, Texas, to Eric and Collette Olszewski. He attended Alvin High School, where he excelled in multiple sports. On the football field, Olszewski set school records for career tackles and interceptions, demonstrating the defensive instincts that would later define his collegiate career. He also competed in baseball, showing athletic versatility beyond the gridiron. Olszewski grew up with two brothers, one older and one younger, in the Alvin community.
Path to Professional Football
After high school, Olszewski enrolled at Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minnesota, a Division II program known as the Beavers. He made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2015, earning Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Newcomer of the Year honors while playing cornerback. Throughout his collegiate career, Olszewski showcased his multi-faceted abilities by also returning punts and handling placekicking duties for field goals and extra points. As a senior in 2018, he achieved the pinnacle of his collegiate career by winning NSIC Defensive Player of the Year and earning First-team Division II All-American recognition, solidifying his status as one of the top defensive players in Division II.
Gunner Olszewski Career
New England Patriots (2019–2021)
Olszewski went undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft but attracted interest from multiple teams. He participated in rookie minicamps with the Minnesota Vikings, where he played cornerback, and the New England Patriots, who planned to use him at wide receiver. On May 23, 2019, the Patriots signed Olszewski as an undrafted free agent following Jared Veldheer’s retirement, securing him with a three-year contract and a $2,500 signing bonus. He survived the final roster cutdown on August 31 after the Patriots traded cornerback Keion Crossen, creating a roster opening.
Olszewski made his NFL debut in Week 1 of the 2019 season against the Pittsburgh Steelers, returning two punts for 35 yards. He recorded his first NFL receptions in Week 6 against the New York Giants, catching two passes for 34 yards. However, his rookie season was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on November 19 due to ankle and hamstring injuries.
The 2020 season began with another injury setback as Olszewski was placed on injured reserve with a foot injury on September 12, though he was activated on October 5 after the league’s COVID-19 modified injured reserve rules allowed for a shorter stay. His breakthrough performance came in Week 13 against the Los Angeles Chargers, where he returned three punts for 145 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown return and receptions. He also caught his first career receiving touchdown, a 38-yard pass from Jarrett Stidham in the Patriots’ 45-0 shutout victory, earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Olszewski finished the 2020 season leading the NFL with 346 punt return yards and set a Patriots franchise record with 17.3 yards per return. In January 2021, he was named to the AP All-Pro First Team as a punt returner, becoming the first Patriots player to earn that distinction at the position. In the 2021 season, he continued his strong special teams play, ranking among the league leaders in punt return yards through nine games and recording a performance against the Chargers with four returns for 80 yards, including three returns of 20 or more yards.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2022–2023)
On March 21, 2022, Olszewski signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He primarily contributed on special teams while seeing limited action as a receiver, finishing the 2022 season with five receptions on seven targets for 53 yards. In 2023, his production decreased to just one reception, though he also served as the team’s kick returner. He was released by the Steelers on October 21, 2023.
New York Giants (2023–Present)
The New York Giants signed Olszewski to their practice squad on October 23, 2023, promoting him to the active roster five days later. He made an immediate impact in Week 17 against the Los Angeles Rams, returning a punt 94 yards for a touchdown. While initially reported as breaking Amani Toomer’s club record, historical research confirmed that Al Bloodgood’s 95-yard record set in 1928 still stands. Olszewski re-signed with the Giants on March 11, 2024, but suffered a groin injury before the season and was placed on injured reserve on September 14, 2024.
Olszewski rejoined the Giants in 2025, re-signing on July 29. His versatility was displayed in Week 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs when he served as the emergency holder for a point-after-touchdown attempt after placekicker Graham Gano was injured. In a game against the San Francisco 49ers, Olszewski caught a 24-yard touchdown, his first receiving score since 2020. He also threw his first career pass, a 33-yard touchdown on a trick play to Jameis Winston during a loss to the Detroit Lions. Olszewski’s season ended with a concussion sustained on a kickoff return against the New England Patriots, which also resulted in a lost fumble. He closed the 2025 season with a standout performance in Week 18 against the Dallas Cowboys, leading the Giants with eight receptions for 102 yards.
On March 6, 2026, Olszewski re-signed with the Giants. However, on June 1, 2026, the Giants placed him on injured reserve after he suffered a torn Achilles during organized team activities.
Driving Style and Strengths
Olszewski’s value lies in his exceptional speed, elusiveness, and vision as a return specialist. His background as a cornerback provides him with strong spatial awareness and the ability to read blocks, enabling him to find creases and maximize return opportunities. His versatility allows him to contribute as a receiver, holder on special teams, and even occasional trick-play passer, making him a valuable multi-dimensional asset for any roster.
Notable Events and Milestones
The defining moment of Olszewski’s career came in the 2020 season when he earned First-team All-Pro honors as the NFL punt return yards leader, becoming the first Patriots player to achieve that distinction. His 70-yard punt return touchdown against the Chargers showcased his game-breaking ability, while his 94-yard return for the Giants demonstrated his continued excellence. The trick-play passing touchdown to Jameis Winston highlighted his versatility and football intelligence.
Gunner Olszewski Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, Olszewski has accumulated impressive statistics across receiving and return categories. His career totals include 25 receptions for 325 yards and two touchdowns, along with 2,976 return yards and two return touchdowns.
NFL Highlights
Olszewski’s most decorated season came in 2020 with the New England Patriots when he earned First-team All-Pro honors and led the NFL with 346 punt return yards. His 70-yard punt return touchdown against the Chargers was his first career return score, and his performance that week earned him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. His 2025 season with the Giants featured memorable moments including a 24-yard receiving touchdown and a 33-yard passing touchdown on a trick play. His career-high receiving performance came in Week 18 of 2025 with eight catches for 102 yards against Dallas.
College and Pre-NFL Achievements
Before his NFL career, Olszewski earned multiple accolades at Bemidji State University, including NSIC Defensive Player of the Year and First-team Division II All-American honors in 2018. He was also recognized as NSIC Newcomer of the Year in 2015.
| Category | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 25 |
| Receiving Yards | 325 |
| Receiving Touchdowns | 2 |
| Return Yards | 2,976 |
| Return Touchdowns | 2 |
Gunner Olszewski Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Not applicable for this athlete profile.
Personal Life
Olszewski was born in Alvin, Texas, to parents Eric and Collette Olszewski. He has two brothers, one older and one younger. Beyond football, he has maintained connections to his Texas roots and continues to demonstrate the work ethic and family values instilled in him during his upbringing in the Alvin community.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a significant chapter in Olszewski’s career as he returned to the Giants following a groin injury that ended his 2024 season on injured reserve. Re-signed on July 29, 2025, he immediately contributed as both a return specialist and offensive weapon. His versatility was on full display throughout the season, whether serving as an emergency holder, catching touchdowns, or throwing his first career pass on a trick play.
Olszewski’s season featured several memorable moments, including his 24-yard receiving touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers and his 33-yard passing touchdown to Jameis Winston against the Detroit Lions. His performance against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 18, where he recorded eight receptions for 102 yards, demonstrated his continued ability to contribute as a receiver despite primarily being known for special teams excellence.
The season ended on a challenging note with a concussion sustained on a kickoff return against the New England Patriots, which also resulted in a fumble turnover. Despite the injury setback, Olszewski’s 2025 campaign reinforced his value as a multi-dimensional player capable of making an impact in various roles. His re-signing with the Giants in March 2026 indicates the organization views him as a key component of their roster moving forward, even as he recovers from the torn Achilles suffered during June OTAs.