Giants Re-Sign Gunner Olszewski as Special Teams Anchor Amid Roster Shuffle

The New York Giants made another move to lock down their special teams backbone, re-signing Gunner Olszewski to the active roster on July 29, 2025—his third time with the team in under two years. It’s not a flashy signing, but in a league where field position wins games, Olszewski’s value is as clear as a crisp punt snap. The Giants didn’t just bring him back; they reshuffled the entire depth chart to make room, placing newly acquired cornerback Rico Payton on injured reserve and adding Zaire Barnes and McClendon Curtis to the practice squad while cutting Trace Ford. This isn’t just roster management—it’s a statement. The Giants believe in Olszewski’s ability to change a game with his legs, not just his hands.

From Punt Returner to Unexpected Touchdown Catcher

Olszewski’s story with the Giants has been anything but linear. He first joined the team’s practice squad on October 23, 2023, and just five days later, he was promoted. His breakout came on the final Sunday of the 2023 season, when he returned a punt 94 yards for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It was the longest punt return in franchise history since 1928—just one yard shy of Al Bloodgood’s record. That play didn’t just energize the crowd; it cemented his role. He finished the season averaging 11.9 yards per return, a number that still ranks among the top in the NFL for players with 10+ returns.

Then came the injury. Olszewski re-signed on March 11, 2024, but a groin strain sidelined him before Week 1. He spent the entire 2024 season on injured reserve, watching from the sideline as the Giants struggled to find consistent special teams play. Still, the team never let him go. They kept him on the radar, and when the 2025 season began, he was back in the mix.

More Than Just a Returner

What’s remarkable about Olszewski isn’t just his speed—it’s his adaptability. After Graham Gano suffered a season-ending injury during Week 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs on September 21, 2025, Olszewski was asked to do something he’d never done in a regular-season game: hold for field goals. He did it flawlessly, even as punter Jamie Gillan temporarily took over kicking duties. That’s rare versatility. Most teams treat returners as one-trick ponies. The Giants treat Olszewski like a Swiss Army knife.

Then came the surprise. In a 34-24 loss to the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, Olszewski caught his first touchdown pass since 2020—a 24-yard reception on his first target of the season. It wasn’t a highlight-reel catch; it was a simple slant, but it was his first receiving TD in five years. The moment was quiet, almost overlooked amid the loss. But for the coaching staff, it was a validation. He’s not just a returner. He’s a receiver who can be trusted in critical moments.

Why the Giants Keep Coming Back to Him

The Giants currently carry six wide receivers on their 2025 roster. Olszewski isn’t the most talented route-runner. He’s not the biggest target. His career stats as a receiver? 32 receptions for 328 yards and two touchdowns across seven seasons. But here’s the thing: he’s been on the field for 42 special teams snaps per game over the last two seasons, according to Pro Football Focus. That’s more than any other wideout on the roster. And when you consider that 27% of NFL games are decided by seven points or fewer, a single 94-yard return can swing a season.

His tenure with the New England Patriots in 2020—when he was named First-Team All-Pro as a punt returner—tells you everything. He led the league in punt return yards that year. The Pittsburgh Steelers gave him a two-year deal in 2022, but they didn’t know how to use him. He had five catches. The Giants do. They’ve built a system around his strengths: quick bursts, instinctive reads, and fearless ball security.

What’s Next for Olszewski and the Giants

With the Giants sitting at 4-5 in the NFC East, every game matters. And every punt return matters even more. Olszewski’s re-signing isn’t just about filling a spot—it’s about having a known quantity in high-leverage situations. He’s been through the roster churn, the injuries, the doubters. He knows the playbook inside out. He’s the guy you want on the field when the game’s on the line.

And if the Giants are smart, they’ll keep him around beyond 2025. At 28, he’s still got speed. He’s durable. He’s cheap. And most importantly, he’s proven he can make the kind of play that turns a loss into a win—or a win into a statement. The Giants don’t need him to be a star. They just need him to be himself.