Panthers TE Greg Olsen signs 2-year extension

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers star tight end Greg Olsen signed a two-year contract extension Thursday worth $8.55 million per year, with a maximum value of up to $10.05 million per year, the Panthers announced.

Olsen was entering the final season of a three-year extension signed in March 2015. He made waves last month when he interviewed for the Monday Night Football analyst job previously held by Jon Gruden.

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Olsen, 33, missed nine games last season with a broken foot. It was the first time since the 2007 season with the Bears that he missed a game and the first time since his first season with the Panthers in 2011 that he missed a start, according to ESPN.

Olsen is the only tight end in NFL history to have three straight seasons (2014-16) with 1,000 yards receiving.

Many analysts thought the Panthers may select a tight end in the NFL Draft, but the timing of the extension may squash those claims, as Carolina still has big needs for a safety, wide receiver and a possibly a center or guard.

Information from ESPN's David Newton was used in this report.

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