Former Carolina tight-end Greg Olsen has joined the Seattle Seahawks on a one-year contract reported to be worth $7million.
The New Jersey schooled 34-year-old, a free agent after being released by the Panthers, joins fellow quarterback Russell Wilson in a deal that has $5.5m in guarantees. It will also add a powerful new arrow to the Seahawks bow.
“The Seahawks are adding one of the NFL’s most accomplished tight ends for the 2020 season.” That’s how the team’s statement read in confirming the move. And it was no exaggeration.
Olsen, 34, spent nine years with the Panthers, having started his career with four seasons at the Chicago Bears. The Bears selected him in the first round of the 2007 draft after he had been considered the No 2 College tight-end in the nation.
Olsen only tight-head with three 1,000-yard receiving seasons
Today the 6ft 5in, 255lb New Jersey footballer holds one the NFL’s most important records. He is the first tight-end in league history to record three consecutive seasons with 1,000 receiving yards.
According to NFL stats, the three-time pro-bowler’s current record stands at: Receptions – 718; Total receiving yards – 8,444 and Total receiving touchdowns – 59.
Injuries restricted Olsen to only 16 outings in 2017 and 2018. Injuries continued to trouble him 2019 when he managed just 597 yards and two touchdowns across 14 games. And not surprisingly, the Panthers struggled to a 5-11 record with starting quarterback Cam Newton also ruled out for most of the season.
Seattle, meanwhile, impressed last season with their 11-5 regular season record before reaching the divisional round of the playoffs. Here, though, they came unstuck, falling out of Super Bowl contention with a 28-23 loss to Green Bay Packers.
With Will Dissly coming off a ruptured Achilles tendon and Ed Dickson only started one game in the last two years, Olsen should strengthen their TE options considerably. This is especially so at a time when Luke Willson (unrestricted) and Jacob Hollister (restricted) are both now free agent
Olsen can still play ???? https://t.co/u7YROpwq4u
— Greg Olsen (@gregolsen88) February 2, 2020