Carolina Panthers: Ron Rivera optimistic about return of Greg Olsen

The Panthers head coach is optimistic about the return of his tight end.

In what has been a down season, I finally have some good news few Carolina Panthers fans. Head coach Ron Rivera thinks tight end Greg Olsen could play in 2019.

Now, for starters let me just say that I think this is a crazy proposition. Olsen battled injuries through much of the 2018 season and back on December 2, it sounded like he was done for maybe the rest of his career. Even still, Rivera maintains a sliver of optimism that Olsen could return next season. The head coach told Max Henson of Panthers.com that “He believes Greg Olsen is eager to begin rehab and continue his playing career.”

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I admire Olsen’s and Rivera’s optimism, I really do. I would like nothing more than for the tight end to go on to the football field for another season. He is an integral part of the Carolina Panthers offense and he has been a mainstay at the position in the organization for years. Ideally, he would come back for next season and wrap up his career on a high note rather than have to end it due to injury.

Unfortunately, I personally do not see that happening. When Olsen’s injury happened at the beginning of December, I believe that was his body’s way of telling him that enough is enough. For life after football, Olsen should focus on getting healthier, and part of doing so is hanging up the cleats. It sucks to say that, it really does. If I were him, I would hang up the cleats and close the book on a great career.

Now if there’s one thing that could warrant him coming back, it is for the simple fact that he will finish out his contract. He signed a two-year $17 million extension back in April, and he still has one year left on the deal. This could be the type of situation where he just grits his teeth and deals with the injury and goes through the rehab process. A true competitor never wants to retire and have an injury be the last thing he is remembered for. Olsen certainly fits the bill of a tough, true competitor.

Whether he plays beyond 2019 remains to be seen and whether he plays in 2019 is an even bigger question. Should he come back for the final year of that contract? Is risking his health important enough to warrant one more season? I think he is playing with fire here. It’s a tough decision to make, and I am glad he is the one making it and not me.

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I will respect his decision either way and fans should respect his decision as well. Olsen has a major decision coming up, and from a football standpoint I hope it involves seeing him on the field in the 2019. From a health standpoint, I just hope he does whatever he feels is right. He has earned the opportunity to leave the game. on his own terms.

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