Fansided
Fansided

Chicago Bears: 5 draft picks they gave up on too soon

By Erik Lambert

CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 17: Greg Olsen #88 of the Carolina Panthers looks on prior to the NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on January 17, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 17: Greg Olsen #88 of the Carolina Panthers looks on prior to the NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on January 17, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 07: Greg Olsen #88 of the Carolina Panthers catches the ball as Rafael Bush #25 of the New Orleans Saints defends during the second half of the NFC Wild Card playoff game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 07: Greg Olsen #88 of the Carolina Panthers catches the ball as Rafael Bush #25 of the New Orleans Saints defends during the second half of the NFC Wild Card playoff game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

02. Greg Olsen

Just mention the name around Bears fans today and one is almost certain to elicit a loud groan. Anybody with eyes could see that tight end Greg Olsen possessed a unique skill set for his position. A big athlete with strong hands who could beat all sorts of coverages. It worked wonders in 2010, helping the Bears to go 11-5, and his performance in the playoff win over Seattle was one of the best a tight end has ever had for the franchise.

So naturally, they decided to trade him the very next offseason to the Carolina Panthers. Why? He didn’t quite fit the system offensive coordinator Mike Martz wanted to implement. They got a 3rd round pick back. Carolina got an eventual three-time Pro Bowler who has over 5,800 yards and 37 touchdowns since leaving the Bears. It remains one of the most misguided trades the team has ever done and is a grim reminder of allowing scheme fit to determine a player’s value.

Home/NFL Draft