Report: Seahawks to bring in tight end Greg Olsen for visit

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson made it very clear at the Pro Bowl that Seattle needs to add stars to the roster if they want to push for another Super Bowl appearance.

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The Seahawks seem to be listening, as they have a visit scheduled with tight end Greg Olsen, who turns 35 in March.

Olsen played for the Carolina Panthers from 2011 through 2019 after spending the first four years of his career with the Chicago Bears, who drafted him at the end of the first round.

Olsen played in all 16 games from 2008 to 2016, but played in just 16 games combined in 2017 and 2018 because of injuries. He missed two games in 2019, and also had lackluster quarterback play since starter Cam Newton played in just two games.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was the first with the report that Olsen would be visiting Seattle after checking in with the Buffalo Bills and the Washington Redskins.

Free agent TE Greg Olsen has added a third visit to his agenda. He’s also set to visit the #Seahawks, source said. Some real interest. So, Bills, Redskins and Seattle.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 4, 2020

The Redskins are an interesting team to look at, as they are a rebuilding and young team and Olsen is older and will likely be trying to win a Super Bowl before he retires. His former coach with the Panthers, Ron Rivera, is the new Washington head coach.

Olsen could also retire and if he does, he has a career path lined up.

“He’s also talking with all the networks because he’s going to be a very good commentator,” 710 ESPN Seattle’s John Clayton said.

Olsen and the Panthers announced recently that they were going to part ways and he was officially released on Monday.

The Seahawks will need to address tight end depth this offseason, as starter Will Dissly went down with a season-ending injury for the second year in a row and second tight end Luke Willson is a free agent. Jacob Hollister, who stepped up as the team’s starting tight end when Dissly was injured in Week 6, is a restricted free agent and will likely be back in 2020.

“With Will Dissly coming back (from injury), that might not be a bad option,” Clayton said, noting that injuries to Olsen have held him back the last few seasons from being his usual productive self. Olsen had over 1,000 yards receiving in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and he has 59 career touchdowns.

The Seahawks did whiff the last time they signed a Panthers tight end in free agency, as Ed Dickson played in 10 games in 2018 after signing a three-year deal and he missed all of 2019. Dickson is entering the final year of his contract and could be cut to save the team roughly $3 million per Spotrac.

“Now it’s a matter of (if) you want Greg Olsen or you don’t, but right now the Seahawks are interested, so it looks like they may want him,” Clayton said.

Listen to the podcast of Clayton’s show when it becomes available at 1 p.m.

Follow 710 ESPN Seattle’s John Clayton on Twitter.

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