CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers star tight end Greg Olsen signed a two-year contract extension Thursday worth $8.55 million per year, with a maximum value of up to $10.05 million per year, the Panthers announced.
Olsen was entering the final season of a three-year extension signed in March 2015. He made waves last month when he interviewed for the Monday Night Football analyst job previously held by Jon Gruden.
Olsen is the only tight end in NFL history to have three straight seasons (2014-16) with 1,000 yards receiving.
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Olsen, 33, missed nine games last season with a broken foot. It was the first time since the 2007 season with the Bears that he missed a game and the first time since his first season with the Panthers in 2011 that he missed a start, according to ESPN.
Many analysts thought the Panthers may select a tight end in the NFL Draft, but the timing of the extension may squash those claims, as Carolina still has big needs for a safety, wide receiver and a possibly a center or guard.
Information from ESPN's David Newton was used in this report.