Carolina Panthers 8 most franchise-changing offseason moments

Panthers franchise-changing moment No. 4: Acquiring Greg Olsen in 2011

The Chicago Bears decided to put pending restricted free agent Greg Olsen on the trade block in the 2011 off-season. Marty Hurney and the Panthers leaped at the opportunity to acquire the talented tight end for only a 3rd round pick. Immediately they extended Olsen, and the rest is history.

Olsen at first played 2nd fiddle to Jeremy Shockey in 2011. But after Shockey retired, the former Miami Hurricane took over as Newton’s primary target every season until Olsen left in free agency to go for a championship with the Seahawks.

He was a model of consistency in his prime as a Panther. From 2012 to 2016, he always had at least 70 catches (69 in 2012) and 800 yards. Olsen served as Newton’s security blanket in those seasons, and he was a leader in the locker room and on the field. He was also a good blocking tight end, helping on both running plays and passing plays with that ability.

The biggest achievement Olsen reached was hitting the 1,000-yard mark three seasons in a row in 2014, 2015, and 2016. This is another example of his consistent play with the Panthers.

Carolina has yet to find anyone close to Olsen’s level since he left in 2019. And the offense in recent years has suffered because of it.