Greg Olsen signs contract and says two words familiar to him, Seahawks: ‘Super Bowl’
Greg Olsen signed his contract. Then he spoke two words both he and the Seahawks know from the last decade.
“Super Bowl.”
The three-time Pro Bowl tight end made official on Monday his one-year contract with Seattle the team announced last week. He signed the deal at Seahawks headquarters in Renton, just before the team’s decision-makers began scouting prospects at the NFL combine in Indiana.
“I just signed my contract, so it’s official. I’m the newest member of the Seattle Seahawks,” Olsen said in a video the team posted on its social-media account.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be out here. I’ve seen you guys from the other side of the field, numerous times over the last few years. And I’m glad to join you guys and try to bring the Super Bowl back to Seattle.
“So, thanks for having me. I’m really excited to get started. See you guys soon.”
The deal for Olsen is reportedly worth $5.5 million guaranteed with opportunities for him to earn $7 million total with incentive bonuses.
It comes after Olsen made Seattle one of his three free-agent visits. He also went to Buffalo and Washington. He chose the Seahawks over Washington, now coached by his former coach in Carolina, Ron Rivera.
The rebuilding Panthers announced three weeks ago they were parting with Olsen after his nine seasons in Carolina. Olsen played in Super Bowl 50 for the Panthers four years ago.
Quarterback Russell Wilson said last month he wants play-makers for his Seahawks offense to get back to the Super Bowl he last played in at the end of the 2013 and ‘14 seasons. Olsen has made plays throughout his career. He had 718 receptions with 59 touchdowns for Carolina.
He turns 35 next month.
The Seahawks have cap space to spend in free agency this offseason. Their top priority is to re-sign top pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney, and that’s going to cost potentially $20 million or more per year. The team and Clowney’s agent are expected to talk here in Indianapolis this week.
The defensive end the Seahawks acquired from Houston Sept. 1 in a trade went to general manager John Schneider the day after the season ended with the playoff loss at Green Bay last month. Coach Pete Carroll said Clowney told the GM he loves playing for and in Seattle.
The Seahawks essentially have from now until March 16 to offer what Clowney wants. On that date, players with expiring contracts about to become unrestricted free agents can begin negotiating with other teams in advance of the market officially opening with the league year March 18.
If Clowney shops, he’s likely gone. Such are the riches of the free-agent market for pass rushers in this pass-and-sack-the-passer league.
Olsen’s short-term cost won’t affect what Seattle can do with Clowney. The team has $51.6 million in available space under the projected 2020 NFL salary cap of $200 million, according to overthecap.com.
Seattle believes it has a special tight end in Will Dissly. But the former University of Washington defensive lineman and Seahawks draft choice in 2018 is on his way back from his second season-ending injury in as many years in the league. Dissly ruptured his Achilles tendon in mid-October during the Seahawks’ win at Cleveland.
The team isn’t certain Dissly will be ready for the start of training camp in late July.
“He’s killing it. He’s killing the rehab. Will is doing great,” Carroll said last month. “He’s spending some time down in L.A. to get right, and he’s really fired up about the people that he’s working with and the progress he’s making.
“He’s been around a lot. He’ll get it done. Will will get it done. There’s no question he will.
“But, it’s a long process. It’s going to be some tough work for him.”
With Olsen now officially signed, the Seahawks are likely to release tight end Ed Dickson to save $3.25 million in space against the cap. The 32-year-old Dickson has been hurt in both seasons since Seattle signed him from Carolina to a three-year, $10.7 million deal to replace departed Jimmy Graham as the No. 1 tight end.
Dickson missed all of last season following knee surgery in the summer. He was one of the team’s two players it designated to return from injured reserve.
He did, in November. But after one practice he went back on IR for the remainder of the 2019 season.
Dissly’s and Dickson’s injuries forced Seattle to sign Luke Willson off the street in the middle of this past season and put Jacob Hollister into a far more prominent role than the Seahawks wanted.
Hollister is still in Seattle’s plans; coaches love his athleticism and receiving skills down the field. He is a restricted free agent. The team can retain him by making a qualifying offer in the next few weeks, and likely will.
This story was originally published February 24, 2020 at 4:14 PM.
