The Bears selected Olsen in the first-round of the 2007 draft, with the anticipation that he would became the storied franchise's next great tight end. While the 26-year-old developed into a solid contributor -- quickly emerging into one of Jay Cutler's favorite targets -- he never quite found his stride within offensive coordinator Mike Martz's system. He leaves Chicago with 194 catches, for 1,981 yards, and 20 touchdowns in 62 games.
Strangely, Olsen's departure signifies that the Bears have zero of their nine 2007 draft picks left under contract. He joins fellow Miami Hurricane, Jeremy Shockey -- a player many compared Olsen to as he was entering the league -- in Carolina, and will be taught by tight ends coach Pete Hoener, who is well known within NFL circles for developing Vernon Davis.
We knew Chicago Bears TE Greg Olsen was available through a trade. Agent Drew Rosenhaus reportedly sent an email around the league indicating that was the case but now we have a trade partner -- the Carolina Panthers.
Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports the Bears have traded Olsen to the Panthers for a draft pick and a player. No word yet on either of those. Biggs also reports Olsen is believed to have received a contract extension.
Last season, Olsen caught 41 passes for 404 yards and five touchdowns.
The Panthers have been making lots of moves lately. They signed DE Charles Johnson to a monster deal and did the same to RB DeAngelo Williams. Clearly, they're interested in making moves this year.
Olsen now heads to Carolina where he'll join TE Jeremy Shockey, who was picked up before the lockout.
