CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ The final Carolina Panthers game of the decade Sunday will be the symbolic end of an era in team history.
But will it also be the end of Greg Olsen's career?
That hasn't been decided yet.
Friday, Olsen talked to reporters about what could possibly be the last game of his career and what comes next for the veteran tight end. Olsen, 34-years old, has one more year left on his contract with the Panthers. After contemplating retirement following the 2018 season, he shared that he hasn't yet made a decision on returning in 2020.
"I think right now my focus is on trying to enjoy and make the most of what is left of this year, which has obviously been a struggle," Olsen said. "But we've got one more shot, one more game here at home and if it is my last one here, obviously I have a ton of great memories and try to go out with as good of a memory as possible, considering the circumstances, but sometimes a lot of that is out of your control and in a lot of other people's hands."
Olsen has a TV career ahead of him whenever he does decide to retire after having much success as a color analyst for FOX, including calling a game during the Panthers' bye week this year.
He is in his ninth season with the Panthers. After playing all 16 games in each of the first six years in Carolina, injuries have become a hurdle the last three seasons. He missed nine games in 2017, seven in 2018 and two this year with a concussion.
But he acknowledged that there are a variety of factors that would play into him coming back for another year.
"(I'll) take a look at all the circumstances, take a look at what's going on here, how we stand, how they view my future here. Obviously, that's a big part of it," Olsen said. "I've been fortunate to play a long time, so the idea of having to play under all circumstances isn't necessarily the case. I love playing. I'd love to come back and play here. That may or may not be in the cards for everybody, me, them.
"I just think right now the speculation of everything going on, it's just really hard to get any real definitive feel, because there's obviously going to be a lot of new people in place that are going to have a lot of say in those decisions."
The Panthers are in the midst of a head coaching search after firing Ron Rivera a month ago. Rivera had been the Panthers' head coach for the entirety of Olsen's stay in Carolina after he played the first four years of his career in Chicago.
His production has decreased over the past three years, partly due to quarterback Cam Newton's injuries. Newton missed all but two games this year and dealt with a shoulder injury last year that limited him in the second half of the season.
A factor, outside of the team's head coach, in Olsen's decision will be if Newton, who also has just one year left on his deal, returns to the team. The pair had significant success together, including three straight 1,000-plus yard receiving seasons from 2014-16 for Olsen, the first tight end in NFL history to do so.
"You know how we all feel about Cam, how we personally feel about Cam. It's been pretty well stated over the years. He, first and foremost, has to get healthy and I get that. That can be very frustrating," Olsen said. "The years (Newton and I) played together, there wasn't anybody better than us. That's just the reality of it. The run we had was as good as anybody, he's been great for my career. If he came back, that'd be awesome, I think that would be great for the organization. How that impacts me, I just don't know how all those things line up."
Olsen said that the people who may be making those decisions may not even be in the team's building yet. The Panthers are also hiring an assistant general manager/vice president of football operations. Olsen would be a cap hit of $11.8 million if he is on the roster next year. The team would save $8.1 million by cutting him. He did say Friday that he would not be looking for an extension to play next season, saying that wouldn't make sense for him or the team.
"I want the Carolina Panthers to be successful. Hopefully (I'm) a part of it, (but) if not, I want them to hire a great coach," Olsen said. "I want them to build this team back to what we were able to build over the years. I live here, my kids are fans of this team. I want this organization to be successful long after I'm gone and I think that's what's been the most frustrating part, just knowing how this season ended for a lot of guys who were part of that build. Ron being at the top of that list."
Olsen said he will have 25-30 people at the game Sunday, but that was partly due to family being in town for the Christmas holiday. They will take in the game as if it could be the end, even though the reality, like so many things for the Panthers, is up in the air.
"I think we're all approaching it, if it is, let's make the most of it, let's think back on the amazing opportunities and times we've been able to have here, my whole career," Olsen said. "If it is the end, that's fine. I have a lot of things I look back and feel proud about, but if it's not we'll do it again."
