Panthers sign Greg Olsen to 3-year contract extension

The Carolina Panthers are keeping one of their most effective offensive weapons around long term. 

Carolina signed tight end Greg Olsen to a three-year contract extension on Thursday. 

The deal is worth $22.5 million, according to his agent Drew Rosenhaus. 

"It's really a dream come true," Olsen said. "Since we've come to Charlotte, we very quickly realized that this is home. This community quickly embraced our family, so we put down roots here. We love it here. This is home for us."

Olsen made the Pro Bowl for the first time in 2014 and has become one of Cam Newton's most reliable targets. He tallied 84 catches for more than 1,000 yards last season. 

Other than Kelvin Benjamin, the Panthers lack game-breakers on offense, so keeping the sure-handed Olsen in the fold was a wise move.