NFL teams
David Newton, ESPN Staff Writer 7y

Panthers TE Greg Olsen reports, says holdout 'not fair' to team

NFL, Carolina Panthers

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen reported to training camp on Tuesday, saying it would have been selfish to hold out while seeking a new deal.

"I just didn't think it was right for me to put my situation and my own personal best interest above that of the team,'' Olsen said after arriving at Wofford College. "If I didn't show up here today and I caused a big stink, what would have come from that was not fair to everybody.

"It's not something I wanted to be a part of. It's not who I am. I'm here. I'm ready to play. I always feel I'm ready to play. I expect to have a great season. I expect to do the things I've done the last couple of seasons.''

Last season, Olsen became the first tight end in NFL history to gain at least 1,000 receiving yards in three straight years. He has been seeking an extension of his contract, which runs through 2018. He ranks seventh among tight ends with an average salary of $7.5 million per year.

He said holding out was on the table at one point. After general manager Dave Gettleman was fired eight days ago and Marty Hurney was hired on an interim basis, Olsen didn't want to add to the "chaos that went on.''

"I just didn't think my selfishness would do any good for the betterment of the team,'' Olsen said.

"The reality is I'm here at camp, ready to go as I always am, ready to have as good if not a better season than I've had. ... Nothing that has transpired over the last couple of months at any point impacted that.''

He is seeking an extension that would put him among the best-paid tight ends in the NFL. Seattle's Jimmy Graham tops the list with an average of $10 million per year.

"Obviously, we feel strong about where we were in those discussions,'' Olsen said. "I'm also respectful of where the team comes and all those things considered.

"I just didn't think it was fair [to hold out]. I didn't think it was fair to Marty. I didn't think it was fair to the team. I didn't think it was fair to Mr. [Jerry] Richardson, the organization, the players, these young guys ... this first time they meet me I'm adding more distraction than I'm worth.''

Olsen, 32, is one of two team captains seeking an extension. The other is outside linebacker Thomas Davis, who had begun discussions before Gettleman was fired.

Davis, 34, didn't speak to reporters on Tuesday.

Coach Ron Rivera said it was good to see Olsen and Davis report with their contract situations unsettled.

"The thing that it shows is this part is business,'' he said. "It's not a personal thing. It's about business and they're professionals and they know what they have to do. We as an organization have got to be able to work things out with them, and we'll see how it goes.''

Rivera said it sets the tone for the team having both here.

"In spite of what's going on or what has gone on, these guys are here to do what they need to do.''

Gettleman's history of taking a tough stance in signing older veterans -- combined with Davis and Olsen seeking extensions -- led to his firing, multiple team sources have told ESPN.com.

Olsen said his relationship with Gettleman was good.

"We might not always have seen eye to eye on things,'' he said. "But as far as the respect level between the two of us, strictly, I didn't ever think there was an issue.

"He treated me with respect and we gave him the respect in return.''

While Olsen still wants a new deal, he didn't sound optimistic that would happen.

"Starting now my focus is on having the best training camp we can, having the best training camp I can,'' he said. "As far as I'm concerned, all that stuff is over now.

"Obviously, we tried to get something done. It didn't work out. Now I'll play out my contract and try to win a Super Bowl.''

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