On Monday afternoon, the Carolina Panthers did something that many expected them to do during the 2020 offseason. They released Greg Olsen to afford the veteran a chance to test free agency.
Olsen had been with the Panthers since a 2011 trade involving the Chicago Bears. He emerged as one of the NFL’s best tight ends and pass-catching weapons and made three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2014 to 2016.
But Olsen, who turns 35 in March, had little incentive to stay with the rebuilding Panthers. And the Panthers were fine with parting ways with him to explore some younger options in their tight end corps, like Ian Thomas.