NFL History: The best trade in each franchise's history

NFL: The best trade in each franchise’s history

SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 22: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks is sacked by linebacker Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals in the second quarter at CenturyLink Field on December 22, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

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Greg Olsen (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

Best trade in Carolina Panthers history: Acquiring Greg Olsen

Before tight end Greg Olsen morphed into one of the best at his position in recent memory, he struggled mightily on a so-so Chicago Bears team.

Olsen’s numbers were pedestrian, to say the least. His best season in Chicago came in 2008. On the year, the uninspired tight caught 60 balls for 612 yards and eight touchdowns. Those unimpressive numbers dropped the following year and the Bears decided to move on.

For whatever reason, the Carolina Panthers saw something special in Olsen and coughed up a 2012 third pick to nab him. What appeared to be an even trade quickly turned into a lopsided one as Olsen became a flat-out stud. For a three-year stretch, Olsen was considered one of the best tight ends in the league as he had multiple thousand-yard seasons.

Once the numbers hit their peak, the accolades quickly followed for Olsen. He was named to three Pro Bowls and consistently pushed Carolina into the playoffs, including a Super Bowl appearance in 2015 that they would ultimately lose.

The prime of his career didn’t last incredibly long but when he was at his best, he crushed defenses with his speed and power on the field.

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