The New York Giants pulled off a rare, high-stakes roster pivot just days before their 2025 season opener, re-signing Gunner Michael Olszewski on Friday, August 29, 2025—two days after cutting him loose. It wasn’t just a paperwork shuffle. It was a desperate, calculated move to plug a gaping hole in their special teams unit after Bryce Ford-Wheaton tore his Achilles during practice. The MetLife Stadium locker room had gone quiet. Now, it’s buzzing again—with the sound of cleats on turf and the quiet confidence of a man who’s been here before.
Why This Move Wasn’t as Random as It Looked
Releasing Olszewski on August 27 felt like a roster-clearing gesture. The Giants had drafted young receivers, and Olszewski, 27, hadn’t caught a regular-season pass since 2022. But football isn’t chess—it’s more like Jenga. Pull one block out, and the whole thing wobbles. When Ford-Wheaton went down, the Giants didn’t just lose a receiver. They lost their most dynamic punt returner in camp. Suddenly, Olszewski wasn’t a luxury. He was the only guy on the roster with 98 career punt returns for 1,170 yards and two touchdowns. That’s not a stat line. That’s a safety net.
He’s not the flashiest target. But when you’re down 14 points in the fourth quarter and you need to flip field position? You want the guy who’s returned punts in snowy New England, in front of 65,000 fans in Pittsburgh, and now, in the electric chaos of East Rutherford. His 11.9-yard average on punts? That’s elite. That’s not luck. That’s instincts.
A Return to Where He Belongs
Olszewski’s journey to this moment reads like a playbook of resilience. Undrafted out of Bemidji State in 2019, he carved out a niche with the New England Patriots in 2020 and 2021—his most productive years, with over 300 punt-return yards and 400+ kick-return yards each season. He moved to the Steelers in 2022, then landed with the Giants in July 2024, only to spend the entire year on injured reserve after a groin tear during Week 1 warmups. He didn’t play a single snap that season. Still, he showed up. Still, he studied. Still, he ran routes with the second team.
His return to the Giants in 2025 isn’t nostalgia. It’s necessity. With Ford-Wheaton out, the Giants had no proven returner. Rookie Jalen McMillan was getting reps, but he’s raw. Olszewski? He’s been there. He’s done it. He knows the signals. He knows how to read the coverage. He knows how to survive a 50-yard punt from a rookie punter who’s never seen daylight under pressure.
The Bigger Picture: Special Teams as a Hidden Weapon
Most fans think offense wins games. Defense wins championships. But in the NFL, special teams win close ones. A single return touchdown can swing a game. A well-placed punt can pin a team inside their 10. The Giants’ 2024 season was defined by field position battles they lost—often because they lacked a reliable returner. Olszewski’s presence doesn’t just fill a roster spot. It changes the entire dynamic of the game plan.
Head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen didn’t make this move lightly. They’ve been quietly evaluating returners since training camp opened. They watched Olszewski’s film. They saw how he set up blocks. How he waited for the crease. How he didn’t flinch when the ball came in high and tight. That’s why they brought him back. Not because he’s a receiver. But because he’s a weapon.
What Comes Next? Roster Deadline Looms
The NFL’s 53-man roster deadline is August 30, 2025. That’s 24 hours from now. Olszewski’s re-signing means one of the Giants’ 15 non-roster tryouts is likely gone. He’s not guaranteed a spot—but he’s now the favorite. His contract terms are undisclosed, but sources say it’s a one-year deal with minimal guarantees. He’s on the bubble. But so was he in 2023. And he made the team.
He’ll compete with Miles Sanders (yes, the running back) and Jalil Bethea for return duties. But here’s the twist: Olszewski is the only one who’s returned a punt in a regular-season game since 2022. That counts. That matters. That’s why the Giants didn’t wait.
Behind the Scenes: The Human Element
On September 15, 2024, after a loss to the Detroit Lions, Olszewski spoke to the media about a trick play where he caught a pass from Jameis Winston for a touchdown. He smiled. Said it was “just a fun play.” No hype. No ego. Just a guy who showed up, did his job, and stayed ready. That’s the kind of player you bring back when your season hangs by a thread.
He’s not the face of the franchise. He won’t be on a billboard. But if the Giants win their opener against the Washington Commanders on September 8, 2025—and Olszewski returns a punt for 25 yards to flip the field? That’s when you realize: this wasn’t a panic move. It was a masterstroke.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Giants release Gunner Olszewski just two days before re-signing him?
The Giants initially released Olszewski to trim their roster during final cuts, likely to evaluate younger receivers. But when Bryce Ford-Wheaton suffered a season-ending Achilles tear, the team suddenly lacked a proven punt returner. Olszewski’s experience made him the only viable option, prompting a swift re-signing before the August 30 roster deadline.
What’s Olszewski’s role on the 2025 Giants team?
Olszewski is expected to be the primary punt returner and a core special teams contributor. With no regular-season receptions since 2022, his value lies in his return stats: 98 punt returns for 1,170 yards and 41 kick returns for 904 yards. He’s not a starting receiver—he’s a field-position changer.
How does Olszewski compare to other return specialists in the NFL?
Olszewski’s 11.9-yard punt return average is above league average (around 9.5 yards). While not elite like returners such as JaMycal Hasty or DeAndre Carter, his consistency and low fumble rate (only 1 fumble in 139 career returns) make him reliable. He’s not flashy, but he’s smart—and that’s what coaches value in the final weeks of camp.
Has Olszewski ever played for other teams?
Yes. Olszewski entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots in 2019, where he had his most productive seasons (2020–2021). He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022 before joining the Giants in 2023. He’s now returning for his third stint with New York, making him one of the few players to rejoin the same team after multiple departures.
What impact could Olszewski have on the Giants’ 2025 season?
If Olszewski stays healthy and locks down the punt return job, he could dramatically improve the Giants’ field position battles. Last season, they lost five games by seven points or fewer. A single 40-yard return could have changed the outcome of those games. His presence alone reduces pressure on the offense and gives the defense better starting field position.
Is this a long-term solution for the Giants?
Not necessarily. Olszewski is 27 and entering his seventh NFL season. This is a short-term fix for 2025. The Giants are likely grooming younger players like Jalen McMillan for future roles. But in a league where depth wins championships, having a veteran like Olszewski on the roster for critical moments is invaluable—especially when injuries strike.