There are two gaping holes on Dave Canales' maiden offensive coaching staff. The first is the lack of a quarterbacks coach. The second, and the one that may be drawing eye emoji's from fans across the Carolina's, is at tight ends coach.
Three major factors are at play when considering Olsen as an option to join Carolina's coaching staff.
The first, is Olsen's current job situation as FOX's lead NFL color commentator. Greg Olsen and Kevin Burkhardt have been FOX's number one pairing for two years and have received rave reviews. The duo is energetic and knowledgable, and Olsen has replaced Tony Romo as the fan-favorite game analyst across the country.
Unfortunately for Olsen, Tom Brady looms as his replacement. Brady signed a 10 year, $375 million deal to become FOX's lead analyst, and he is on deck to take Olsen's seat starting this September. Olsen is in the middle of a five-year deal with FOX, but he will take a cut in salary and prestige with Brady taking his role on FOX's most important games.
The second factor is Olsen's relationship with head coach Dave Canales. In a sit down with The Atheltic's Joe Person, Olsen raved about his time with Canales in Seattle. He called Canales open-minded, smart, high-energy, and ultra positive in his interview. Olsen said that Canales spent "every single day" in Seattle's tight end room, and that ultimately the two of them (Olsen and Canales) just "love talking ball." For Canales, a newbie in the Carolinas, bringing a beloved figure to his coaching staff could do wonders in building his relationship with Panthers fans.
Which brings us to the third factor. Olsen is adored by folks in Charlotte. On the field, he was MVP quarterback Cam Newton's favorite target for years, and served as an emotional on-field leader and captain for the 2015 team that made the Super Bowl. Off the field, Olsen's charity work across the city of Charlotte is admired by many. Not many folks have as high of a q-rating across the city as Olsen, and his return would be welcomed by many.
Olsen threw his name in the ring when the head coaching job in Carolina opened late last year, but he wasn't seriously considered for the job. For a young staff with a first time head coach, it would be benifical to many if he was seriously considered for this role.
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