Greg Olsen and the Panthers have agreed to part ways after a successful nine-year relationship. During his time in Carolina, Olsen established himself as one of the top tight ends in the NFL. He made three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2014-2016. During that time, he was the most reliable producer at his position in the sport, even including Gronk.
If the Panthers are cutting Olsen, they’ll save about $8.1 million in salary cap space. Doing so will carry a dead money penalty of $3.7 million, according to Over the Cap.
Olsen leaving is about much more than just a great tight end nearing the twilight of his career. This move at this time is another clear signal that the franchise is beginning a genuine total rebuilding period.
The work began in December, when head coach Ron Rivera was fired following a stunning home loss to Washington. Rivera was soon replaced by Baylor coach Matt Rhule, who has brought in a bevy of new assistants who will be tasked with keeping the next generation of this team competitive.
That future became much cloudier after the sudden retirement of inside linebacker Luke Kuechly. His exit means Phil Snow’s defense will have to rebuild around a new nucleus.
Now that Olsen is also out of the picture, it’s obvious where things are going. Any veteran who had a rough year or who has a questionable contract is likely to be given the boot this offseason.
Cam Newton fans probably have the most to be worried about with this news. Olsen was Newton’s favorite receiver and it’s not difficult to imagine this will be a significant factor in deciding Cam’s future. The more the team moves on from core pieces like Kuechly and Olsen, the less likely it is they’ll be keeping Newton around for the rebuild.
Newton is the best quarterback currently on the roster and he was an MVP not too long ago. However, he’s also entering the final year of his contract and has been dealing with injuries for nearly the last three and a half seasons. More major changes may be coming soon.
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