Bears trade TE Greg Olsen to Panthers
Less than 21 hours after emails announcing Greg Olsen’s availability in trade were leaked to the Tribune, the Chicago Bears have dealt the veteran tight end to Carolina.
According to an NFL source with knowledge of the situation, the Bears traded Olsen to thePanthers for a player and a draft pick (the player is not believed to be wide receiver Steve Smith).
The Bears gave Olsen’s agent Drew Rosenhaus permission to shop Olsen, and they are believed to have come to terms with the Panthers on a contract extension as the 2007 first-round draft pick was entering the final year of his rookie contract with the Bears.
So, the tight end position is getting a total overhaul as another league source told the Tribune veteran tight end Brandon Manumaleuna will be released one season after the Bears signed him to a $15 million, five-year contract that paid him $6 million. The Bears already have agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent Matt Spaeth on a contract, giving them a blocker to take the place of Manumaleuna.
Olsen caught 41 passes for 404 yards and five touchdowns last season, but Mike Martz offenses have rarely utilized the position to catch the ball downfield. Now, the Bears could be in the market for a wide receiver to add to the mix.
Check back soon for more details as this breaking story unfolds.