Greg Olsen, who spent most of his career with the Carolina Panthers, announced his retirement on Fox’s pre-match program ahead of Sunday’s NFC championship game.
Olsen, 35, will join Fox as a color analyst. He worked for the broadcaster calling up NFL and XFL games in the past, but returned to the NFL for a final season with the Seattle Seahawks.
“Sometimes, when it’s time, it’s time. My time in the NFL is now over, ”said Olsen in a“ breaking news ”segment on the program.
The tight end played the last game of his 14-year career in November, suffering a rupture in his left foot’s fascia during a 28-21 win against Arizona Cardinals.
Olsen ranks fifth in NFL history in receiving yards (8,683) and tight end receptions (742) in the Super Bowl era. He is in eighth place between the tight ends, with 60 career touchdowns.
Olsen all-time Panthers records
Olsen was chosen by the Chicago Bears as the 31st overall choice in 2007. The Bears negotiated him with the Panthers before the 2011 season.
It was with Carolina that he built a stellar career. In nine seasons there, he was nominated for three Pro Bowls and won two AP All-Pro second team nominations.
He left the Panthers as his all-time leader in receiving yards (6,463), receptions (524) and receiving games of 100 yards (10) for a tight end. His 39 touchdowns are in second place, behind Wesley Wall’s 44.
Olsen had its most productive years in 2012-16. He became the first tight end in NFL history, with three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons from 2014-16. The Panthers went to the Super Bowl in the 2015 season and lost to the Denver Broncos.
Olsen opted for the 14th season instead of a booth
The Panthers launched Olsen in February 2020 and he looked set to retire in Fox’s broadcast booth. Instead, he signed a one-year, $ 7 million contract with the Seahawks a month later to play with quarterback Russel. Wilson and coach Pete Carroll.
Injuries were a problem for the veteran in the last years of his career and his last one was no different. He injured his foot in a non-contact play and did not return after the Seahawks were eliminated from the playoffs in the wild card round.
Olsen played 11 games for Seattle and had 24 receptions for 239 yards and a touchdown.
Fox reportedly hired Olsen last season to work on the broadcast booth. It will start in the fall.
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