Greg Olsen is officially hanging up his cleats. After flirting with retirement the past couple of years the veteran tight end has now decided to call it a career, he announced on a FOX pre-game show.
It was a fitting setting to make the announcement, since Olsen will now begin his post-playing days as an analyst for FOX. “Proud of what I was able to accomplish in this league, proud of the relationships and everything that the game has given me,” Olsen said, via David Newton of ESPN.com. “But sometimes, when it’s time, it’s time and my time in the NFL now has come to an end. I’m excited for the next chapter. … I’ve got it all out of my system.”
The 35-year-old originally entered the league as a first-round pick of the Bears all the way back in 2007. After spending four years in Chicago where he was never featured too heavily, he was traded to the Panthers for a third-round pick. While spending the next nine years in Carolina, he became one of the most consistent and productive tight ends in the league.
From 2014-16, he had at least 77 catches and 1,008 yards in three straight seasons, making the Pro Bowl in all three of those campaigns. He also had at least five touchdowns in eight straight years from 2008-15. Injuries derailed his last few seasons with the Panthers, and he signed with Seattle this past offseason for one last run.
Another foot injury limited him to 11 games with the Seahawks, and although it was initially feared to be season-ending, he managed to battle his way back on the field for the final couple weeks and Seattle’s playoff loss. All of us here at PFR wish the Panthers legend all the best in retirement.
Say it with me now. OVERRATED
Nope
you are such a nice person smh.
Great TE … in my opinion had a lot of work to do to be HOF ….
He’ll be back every other year for the next 6 years prolly
Man had he had gotten to 10k yards he is probably a hall of famer
Which based on his past 4 seasons would have taken him 4-5 years to achieve. So he really wasn’t that close.
Yeah injuries played a big role. Also playing with cam hurt his chances severely
Well, Cam liked him. Throwing to Olsen was never a concern there.
Another brilliant trade by the Bears.
I wouldn’t be mad if Olsen made into the Hall, but I do doubt it happening. Seems like an on the cusp type player more than a shoe-in. He was absolutely rock solid at every duty that a tight end has to do, however-he blocked, he could catch, was decently athletic, smart, and ran good routes. He is a tight end that other players should emulate.
With Witten, Gates, and possibly Gronkowski (may be considered as being in a different era due to his draft date) as expected entrants at the position, you could more easily make the case for Olsen than it would initially appear. If Gronkowski is considered in the next time period, Olsen is likely the third tight end from his era after Gates and Witten. Just an interesting thought to consider.