Greg Olsen chose not to reunite with his former head coach Ron Rivera, as the former Carolina Panthers tight end signed with the Seattle Seahawks.
Olsen signed a one-year deal worth $7 million with $5.5 million guaranteed.
The Panthers and Olsen mutually agreed to part ways in January and the team officially released him after nine seasons on Feb. 3.
The Washington Redskins emerged as favorites to sign Olsen as he played nine seasons under Rivera in Carolina. Rivera had hired several former Panthers assistants to his coaching staff and reuniting with a longtime former player seemed inevitable. Olsen visited the Redskins and Buffalo Bills as well as the Seahawks.
However at the age of 35, Olsen wanted to play for a chance to return to the Super Bowl and win a ring. And the lure of playing alongside Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Greg Olsen signing with Seattle leaves the Redskins still searching to fill a huge hole at tight end. The Redskins appear destined for a roster flip at tight end. Vernon Davis announced his retirement during Super Bowl Sunday. Meanwhile, Jordan Reed remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol six months after being on the receiving end of a helmet-to-helmet.
The Redskins want to get younger across the roster, but having a veteran at tight end to mix with their youth movement would be beneficial. With Jeremy Sprinkle, Hale Hentges, and Caleb Wilson as the tight ends under contract, the draft, free agency and trades are all options for the Redskins in search of an upgrade at the position.
