The Carolina Panthers lost quite a few of their older players to retirement this season, and there was speculation that tight end Greg Olsen could be next.
39-year-old defensive end Julius Peppers decided to hang up his cleats after 17 seasons in the NFL. The Panthers opted not to re-sign the 36-year-old Thomas Davis, who eventually landed with the Los Angeles Chargers. They even released 15-year NFL veteran Mike Adams, who is 38 years old.
Despite the departures of these old players, they decided to keep Olsen around. He is a 34-year-old tight end that has been dealing with a nagging foot injury the past two seasons, missing 16 games in that time.
Here's what Olsen had to say to WFNZ's Wilson & Parcells about being the oldest player on the team:
“My job is to play, my job is to help where it's needed – My job is not to be the coach,” said Olsen. “I'm always available for young guys who want to learn, but my main job is to go out and play. No one wants to hear from a guy who can't play well, and the voice of the guy who doesn't play is annoying. First and foremost, the veteran's job is to go out and play at a high level. If you play at a high level, guys are more inclined to follow you.”
There is no doubt that his injuries are concerning, but entering his 13th season in the NFL, he's still one of Cam Newton's favorite targets. Age does not matter when it comes to Olsen because of his mental makeup and passion for the game.
He's been a leader on and off the field for this team. His positive impact on the team and being a role model for some many people makes him a very special player in the NFL.
The Panthers are trying to get younger and faster. They already have rising young stars in Christian McCaffrey, D.J. Moore, Curtis Samuel, and Ian Thomas. All four are becoming the focal points of the offense and they will all have a leader in Olsen to look to for help.
Follow Us
Subscribe