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Every NFL team’s worst trade of all-time (Updated)

By Randy Gurzi

Steve Young #8, Quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers feeds the ball to Running Back #32 James Wilder during the American Football Conference West game against the Los Angeles Rams on 5 October 1986 at the Anaheim Stadium, Los Angeles, California, United States. The Rams won the game 26 - 20. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Allsport/Getty Images)
Steve Young #8, Quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers feeds the ball to Running Back #32 James Wilder during the American Football Conference West game against the Los Angeles Rams on 5 October 1986 at the Anaheim Stadium, Los Angeles, California, United States. The Rams won the game 26 - 20. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Allsport/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – JANUARY 16: Tight end Greg Olsen #82 of the Chicago Bears reacts after he scores on a 58-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – JANUARY 16: Tight end Greg Olsen #82 of the Chicago Bears reacts after he scores on a 58-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Chicago Bears: Greg Olsen for a third-round pick

The Chicago Bears understood the kind of playmaker Greg Olsen was coming out of Miami. That’s why they used the No. 31 overall pick on him in 2007, as they looked to open their offense up. He did exactly that and by his third season with the team, as he was up to 60 receptions for 612 yards and eight touchdowns.

Despite him proving to be one of the best young tight ends in the game, the Bears only kept Olsen for one more season. They brought in Mike Martz as the offensive coordinator, who didn’t feature tight ends much in his offense. Because of this, the Bears foolishly traded Olsen to the Carolina Panthers in 2011 for a third-round pick.

All he’s done since then is develop into an even better player than he was for Chicago. Olsen has become the No. 1 target for quarterback Cam Newton. The team is hoping he can still help them this season, despite suffering a foot fracture early on.

Even if Olsen doesn’t make it back to his former self this season, he’s going to go down as one of the best to ever suit up in Carolina. He made the All-Pro team twice for the Panthers and the Pro Bowl three straight seasons. That came in 2014 to 2016 where he had at least 1,000 yards in all of those three seasons.

He’s been battling injuries the past two years, but Olsen remains under contract for the 2019 season with Carolina. There’s no reason to think he won’t get back on the field and continue to be the best option Newton has in the Carolina passing game.

What’s not debatable though is the fact Chicago was on the wrong end of the deal. In his eight seasons since being sent away, Olsen has 451 receptions for 5,656 yards and 33 touchdowns. Carolina is completely satisfied with the price they paid for such production.

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