New England Patriots wide receiver Gunner Olszewski has been named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after a career performance in Week 13 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Olszewski, a 2019 undrafted rookie cornerback out of Division II Bemidji State, had three punt returns for 145 yards and a touchdown. Olszewski’s touchdown came on a 70-yard return and he also scored his first receiving touchdown on a 38-yard reception.
Out of the nine games he’s played in this season, Olszewski has averaged 26.9 yards per attempt on nine punts. He’s shaping up to go down a similar path as Julian Edelman and Bill Belichick is cultivating it slowly.
Gunner Olszewski has been named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week: 3 punt returns for 145 yards, including a 70-yard TD … as well as a tackle on kickoff coverage (after catching a TD pass). 🔫💪🥇 pic.twitter.com/pMExz6ZVzc
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) December 9, 2020
Olszewski fortunately has the 34-year-old around still for advice as well.
Gunner Olszewski is the first Patriots player to have a Rec TD and punt return TD in the same game since Julian Edelman in 2014.
The only other player to do that this season is Keelan Cole in Week 10 at the Packers. pic.twitter.com/XYR1RPi1X2
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 7, 2020
After hitting the 51-yard game-winner against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 12, Nick Folk earned this same honor.
