Panthers: Top 5 offseason departures who will thrive on new teams

Carolina Panthers Player No. 5: Greg Olsen (TE)

It is going to be strange seeing Greg Olsen in anything other than a Carolina Panthers’ uniform. The prolific tight end enjoyed a standout spell with the organization that spanned almost a decade. But he will now take his skills elsewhere in a bid to end his career with a contender.

Olsen signed a one-year, $7 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks that included a $3.75 million signing bonus and $5.5 million guaranteed. This pairs the player with quarterback Russell Wilson, which could be the difference in critical moments for Pete Carroll’s men.

The player was a huge part of the Panthers’ culture during his time with the franchise. He eventually finished his career with 524 receptions, 6,463 receiving yards, 39 touchdowns, and a yards-per-catch average of 12.3. This represented a substantial return on investment for Carolina and one that is going to be immensely hard to replace.

That task will fall squarely on the shoulders of Ian Thomas. The third-year-pro will get the chance to make the No. 1 spot his own. And there is plenty to like about his chances of making his presence felt in Joe Brady’s dynamic scheme.

Olsen’s loss will be felt both on the field and in the locker room. Few would argue that the player deserves the chance to end his career with a realistic chance of winning a Super Bowl. And 2020 might be the final time we see him on the field after he recently signed a deal with FOX Sports.