Three-time Pro Bowl fan Greg Olsen announced ahead of Sunday’s NFC championship game that he would retire and join Fox Sports’ NFL coverage.
Olsen spent the 2021 season with the Seattle Seahawks after nine years with the Carolina Panthers, where he was the first close end in NFL history, receiving three consecutive seasons with 1,000 yards from 2014 to ’16.
The Panthers released 35-year-old Olsen in the 2020 off-season under new coach Matt Rhule. In February, he signed a $ 6.6 million one-year deal with Seattle.
In July, Olsen signed a contract as Fox Sports’ # 2 NFL TV analyst with Kevin Burkhardt after he retired.
“Proud of what I’ve achieved in this league, proud of the relationships and everything the game has given me,” said Olsen during Fox Sports’ pregame show. “But sometimes when it’s time, it’s time and mine.” The time in the NFL is now over. I look forward to the next chapter. … I have everything from my system. “
He was greeted on Twitter by both the Panthers and Seahawks after making his announcement.
Thank you for the third catches of the clutch, the unmatched knowledge of the game book and the endless laughter. # KeepPounding @ gregolsen88 pic.twitter.com/GxpeHPtEc1
– Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) January 24, 2021
Congratulations on your retirement, @ gregolsen88!
We wish you all the best. 💙 https://t.co/3vt6VF5PfU
– Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) January 24, 2021
Olsen played with Seattle last season in hopes of achieving what he was missing in his 14-year career: a Super Bowl title.
That didn’t go as planned. He caught 24 passes for 239 yards and one touchdown in 11 regular season games and was held at eight snaps in the Seattle wildcard loss to the Los Angeles Rams without a catch.
Olsen spent four weeks in an injured reserve with a torn plantar fascia – a foot injury he sustained in Carolina – then missed the Seahawks’ regular season finale after returning in Week 16.
After injuring his foot in Week 11, Olsen posted a picture of himself limping off the field and vowing that this was not how his NFL career would end.
Olsen posted the following message on social media after announcing his resignation:
“I would like to thank the countless team-mates, coaches and employees in Chicago, Seattle and especially in Carolina. They shaped me into the player and the person I am today. …
“I’m not trying to look back and I regret it. I’m so proud of my career. But when I look back on my career I have two. I regret that I never got to the top of the mountain. I regret that I walked away that Field under the weight of confetti, but the realization of our dream fell short. …
“Life doesn’t always go as planned, but it’s been a great ride.”
Olsen finished Carolina the all-time leader in receiving yards (6,463), receptions (524), and 100-yard receiving games (10) to a close finish. His 60 touchdown catches rank eighth among all NFL shortages.
Olsen was designed by the Chicago Bears with the University of Miami’s 31st Draft Pick in 2007 and sold to the Panthers in 2011.
Brady Henderson of ESPN contributed to this report.
