According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Pittsburgh Steelers are signing All-Pro kick return specialist Gunner Olszewski to a two-year, $4.2 million deal. Olszewski leaves the New England Patriots to sign with their long-time AFC rival.

The 25-year old return man leaves New England after two seasons with the Patriots, where he was signed to the active roster in 2019 after going undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft. Olszewski earned his All-Pro nod in his second season with the Patriots in 2020, where he had one punt return for a touchdown and averaged 17.3 yards per punt return, a New England Patriots franchise record. He was set to make $2.4 million in 2022 had the Patriots tendered him as a restricted free agent. The Patriots declined to tender Olszewski by Wednesday, making him an unrestricted free agent ripe for the picking.

The most likely candidate to replace Gunner Olszewski on the Patriots kick return team is recently-signed all-purpose back Ty Montgomery. Montgomery served as a kick return man in the past for the Green Bay Packers and the Baltimore Ravens. The punt returner role is a little more complex, as that is where Olszewski stood out the most. Jakobi Meyers, Kyle Dugger, J.J. Taylor, and N’Keal Harry all present options, however, none have had the returner success that could easily replicate the production of Olszewski.

After losing Ray-Ray McCloud to the San Francisco 49ers, the Pittsburgh Steelers were in the market for a return specialist. Gunner Olszewski fits that mold, bringing a much-needed boost to the Steelers special teams room.