Greg Olsen

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Olsen originally committed to Notre Dame but never enrolled; he decommitted and enrolled at Miami in 2003. In 2003, he was on the Hurricanes' scout team before suffering a shoulder injury and being redshirted. He became the starter of the Miami Hurricanes in his sophomore season in 2005 after Kevin Everett was drafted in the third round by the Buffalo Bills. In his career, he totaled 87 receptions for 1,215 yards and six touchdowns. In 2003, Olsen was one of the players that participated in the University of Miami's rap group, the 7th Floor Crew, under the pseudonym G-Reg.

In Their Own Story

In Week 16 of the 2016 season against the Atlanta Falcons, Olsen caught a 17-yard pass in the second quarter. That catch made him the first tight end in NFL history to record three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. The record capped a stretch where he posted 1,008 yards in 2014, 1,104 yards in 2015, and 1,073 yards in 2016. Earlier in 2015, during the Panthers' 41–38 victory over the New Orleans Saints that improved their record to 12–0, Olsen caught nine passes for 129 yards. During that game, he passed Wesley Walls for most career receptions by a tight end in Panthers history. In the NFC Divisional Round that season, he had six receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown in a 31–24 win over the Seattle Seahawks, then caught six passes for 113 yards in the NFC Championship against the Arizona Cardinals to help the Panthers reach Super Bowl 50.

Reader's Guide

Olsen was traded to the Carolina Panthers on July 28, 2011. He recorded 45 receptions for 540 yards and five touchdowns in 2011. In 2012, he had 69 receptions for 843 yards and five touchdowns. In 2013, he had 73 receptions for 816 yards and six touchdowns. In 2014, he finished with a career-high 84 catches, 1,008 yards, and six touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl selection. In 2015, he signed a three-year extension worth $22.5 million, finished with 77 receptions for 1,104 yards and seven touchdowns, made his second consecutive Pro Bowl, and was named to the AP All-Pro second-team. In 2016, he had 80 receptions for 1,073 yards and three touchdowns, making his third consecutive Pro Bowl and setting the NFL record for first tight end with three straight 1,000-yard seasons. In 2017, he suffered a broken foot in Week 2, was placed on injured reserve, and later activated but aggravated the injury. In 2018, he signed a two-year extension worth $17.1 million.

Did You Know?

• Olsen was a five-star recruit and the No. 2 tight end in the nation in 2003.
• He recorded a personal-best time of 11.40 seconds in the 100 meters in high school.
• Olsen was the first tight end in NFL history to record three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
• He served as a guest analyst on FOX Sports in November 2017 while injured.