Panthers' Olsen hoping for extension but still open to MNF job
Tight end Greg Olsen is hoping to play for the Carolina Panthers past the 2018 season and eventually retire with the team.
The three-time Pro Bowler, who recently auditioned for a Monday Night Football analyst role, will make $6.5 million in base salary in 2018 and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the campaign.
"My preference would be to continue to play,'' Olsen told ESPN's David Newton. "I still love playing for the Panthers and I would prefer to finish my career at Carolina. I wouldn't see myself love to go play elsewhere.
"But this is the last year of my contract. A lot of that plays into what the future holds. Where we are in all of that, I'm not really sure. As the offseason plays out, it would be nice to kind of know what my future is past this year here in Carolina. That would make a lot of the other decisions easier.''
"Obviously, ESPN, that Monday Night gig is a big deal,'' he added. "You don't just easily dismiss that. But how things play out, my preference would be for things to play out here at Carolina beyond this year. If that's not the case, then other doors remain open is the best way to put it.''
Olsen caught 17 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown in seven games in 2017 after being hindered by foot injuries.