Chicago Bears: 3 reasons signing Greg Olsen is crucial
By Ryan Heckman
Greg Olsen is now a free agent after he and the Carolina Panthers parted ways. The Chicago Bears better step up.
Once a first-round draft pick by the Chicago Bears back in 2007, Greg Olsen might be a candidate to return to his first NFL team.
For those just joining us, Olsen was in fact drafted by the Bears over a decade ago as one of the top prospects coming out of the University of Miami. The former Hurricane was selected at pick no. 31 back in 2007, only to be traded a few seasons into his career.
After the Bears dealt Olsen because “he wasn’t a fit in their offense,” he went on to become a Carolina Panthers legend.
Thursday afternoon, it was reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that Olsen and the Carolina Panthers have agreed to mutually part ways.
This parting likely signals a rebuild coming for Carolina, as former All Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly also left the team this year via retirement.
The #Panthers and TE Greg Olsen have agreed to part ways. End of an era for a player who has TV options, as well as football.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 30, 2020
Olsen left the Bears only to finish as the Panthers’ third all-time leader in receiving, with 524 receptions for 6,463 yards. He is also fourth all-time in franchise history with 39 receiving touchdowns.
With Olsen now having the option to sign elsewhere, it makes a whole lot of sense for the Bears to pursue him. The 34-year-old has struggled with injuries in recent years, which is going to be the biggest knock on the idea of Chicago signing him. I get that — yet, he’s worth the risk.
It wasn’t until the 2017 season that Olsen’s body failed him. Prior to that year, he had played nine straight seasons without missing a game. Just last year, he appeared in 14 games, catching 52 passes for 597 yards and two scores.
Believe it or not, the numbers Olsen posted last year are greater than the entire 2019 Bears’ tight end group combined. That’s not the only reason he should be a target for the Bears, but it’s a good start. I’ll give you three good reasons Ryan Pace needs to make this phone call.