Giants Re-Sign Gunner Olszewski After Brief Release to Fill Special Teams Void
Nov, 24 2025
The New York Giants pulled off a classic NFL roster chess move — releasing, then re-signing, Gunner Olszewski — all within 48 hours, just before the league’s final roster deadline. It wasn’t chaos. It was necessity. And it underscores how vital return specialists have become in today’s game.
Why the Flip-Flop Happened
On August 27, 2025, the Giants cut Olszewski to make room for waiver claims Rico Payton and Beau Brade. The move was purely logistical: a 53-man roster crunch, nothing more. But by August 29, at 1:13 p.m. Eastern Time, the team brought him back. Why? Because Payton landed on injured reserve with a hamstring strain — a twist no one saw coming. Suddenly, the Giants needed someone who could field punts without fumbling, someone who could flip field position, someone who’d already done it at the highest level.
Turns out, Olszewski was that guy. And he’s been that guy since 2020, when he led the NFL in punt return yards (346) as a member of the New England Patriots and earned First-Team All-Pro honors. That season, he wasn’t just a returner — he was a weapon. He scored once on a 73-yard punt return and averaged 12.8 yards per return. That’s not luck. That’s precision.
A Career Built on Special Teams
Olszewski doesn’t catch many passes. In fact, he had zero receptions in his 10 games with the Giants in 2023. But he doesn’t need to. His value isn’t in the box score — it’s in the field position battle. He’s returned 98 punts in his career, with two touchdowns. One of them? A 94-yard return against the Los Angeles Rams at MetLife Stadium in 2023. Just one yard short of the Giants’ franchise record set in 1928. That’s the kind of play that changes momentum — and games.
He’s bounced around. The Pittsburgh Steelers released him in October 2023 after signing him to a two-year, $4.2 million deal. The Giants picked him up two days later. He didn’t play in 2024 due to injury — a groin issue that kept him sidelined for weeks, according to Fantasy Football Calculator. But he returned to camp in 2025, and despite a lingering back problem, he impressed coaches enough to make the initial 53-man roster.
The Bigger Picture: Losing Ford-Wheaton
The Giants’ decision wasn’t made in a vacuum. They lost Bryce Ford-Wheaton — their other top special teams contributor — to a season-ending Achilles tear in August. That left a gaping hole on kick and punt coverage units. Olszewski wasn’t just a backup option; he was the only proven returner on the roster with NFL experience and a track record of big plays.
Head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen knew they couldn’t risk going into Week 1 with unproven returners. So they did what smart teams do: they moved pieces around, took a calculated risk, and re-signed the guy who’s been there before.
What This Means for the Season
Olszewski is now one of six wide receivers on the Giants’ active roster — but only one of them is expected to touch the ball on special teams. His role is narrow, but critical. In a league where field position wins games, a single return touchdown can be the difference between a win and a loss. Remember: in 2023, his 94-yard return helped the Giants beat the Rams in a game they ultimately won by 10 points.
And here’s the quiet truth: Olszewski’s re-signing might be the most impactful roster move the Giants made this offseason. Not because he’ll catch 40 passes. But because he might return one punt for 80 yards in a tight game against the Dallas Cowboys or Philadelphia Eagles — and turn a 20-17 game into a 27-17 rout.
What’s Next?
The Giants still have roster flexibility. They signed Zaire Barnes and McClendon Curtis to the practice squad and released Trace Ford. That’s the kind of fine-tuning you do after the dust settles. Olszewski’s contract is likely a minimum-salary deal with no guaranteed money — a low-risk, high-reward gamble.
He’s 28. He’s not a starter. He’s not even a deep threat. But in the right situation — and with the right coaching — he’s a game-changer. And in the NFC East, where every possession matters, that’s worth more than a third-round pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Giants release Gunner Olszewski only to re-sign him two days later?
The Giants released Olszewski on August 27 to clear a roster spot for waiver claims Rico Payton and Beau Brade. But when Payton suffered a hamstring injury and was placed on injured reserve, the team needed a proven return specialist back. Olszewski’s experience and track record made him the logical re-signing, especially after losing Bryce Ford-Wheaton for the season.
How important is Gunner Olszewski to the Giants’ special teams unit?
Extremely. With Bryce Ford-Wheaton out for the season, Olszewski is now the Giants’ only returner with NFL experience and a history of big plays — including a 94-yard punt return for a touchdown in 2023. He’s returned 98 punts in his career with two touchdowns, making him one of the most reliable return specialists available.
Has Olszewski ever been an All-Pro?
Yes. In 2020, while with the New England Patriots, Olszewski was named First-Team All-Pro after leading the NFL in punt return yards (346) and recording 418 kick return yards. That season, he was one of the most dangerous returners in the league — a credential that still holds weight today.
Why doesn’t Olszewski catch many passes?
He’s not built to be a primary receiver. In 10 games with the Giants in 2023, he had zero receptions. His value lies in his speed, hands under pressure, and ability to read coverage on returns — not route-running. Teams use him as a specialist, not a starter, because his skill set is hyper-focused on field position.
Where does Olszewski rank among NFL return specialists in 2025?
He’s not the flashiest name, but among proven veterans, he’s top-tier. With 98 career punt returns and two touchdowns, his consistency and big-play ability make him a top-10 return specialist in terms of reliability. In a league where few players specialize in returns, his experience is rare — and valuable.
Could Olszewski be traded or released again this season?
Possibly, but only if another team offers a better return specialist or if Olszewski suffers a new injury. His contract is minimal, and his role is so specific that teams rarely trade returners unless they’re desperate. The Giants value his stability — especially after losing Ford-Wheaton — and are likely to keep him unless a clear upgrade appears.