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Thirteen year veteran tight end Greg Olsen and the Carolina Panthers are parting ways according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. After Olsen is released, the team would save $11.6 million against the cap and nearly $8 million in cash.
His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, tells Rapoport that Olsen still wants to play and will be in contact with teams after the Super Bowl, but it would need to be the right opportunity. Olsen has already worked as a broadcaster, so is likely assured something in NFL media if he chooses. Olsen has dealt with injury trouble over the last three seasons, but has been productive when healthy and played 14 games in 2019.
There are plenty of teams in need of a veteran tight end, with the Patriots being one obvious landing spot. But, at a position that is thin on talent across the NFL, Olsen should be able to find a team he would feel good about joining.
Olsen’s departure should open up the starting job for Panthers tight end Ian Thomas. Thomas will be in his third season in 2020 and has shown well in his limited opportunities so far. Tight ends usually take a few years to get going in the NFL as it is, so Thomas becoming the starter in this third season should be a prime spot for him to put up good fantasy numbers. This news will quickly move him up the 2020 rankings.