Greg Olsen Reportedly Wants to Restructure Contract with Panthers

Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen is reportedly eyeing a raise. 

Citing league sources, the Charlotte Observer's Joseph Person reported Tuesday that Olsen wants to negotiate a new contract with the Panthers "that is commensurate with the NFL's top tight ends." 

"In the ideal world, that’d be great," Olsen said of signing a new contract. "I’m very confident on where I stand in the league and where I belong. Both productivity and all things considered, there’s nobody that’s been more productive or more consistent than I have. And I’ll stand on that until the cows come home."

As things stand, Olsen is scheduled to earn a base salary of $6.5 million with an additional $3 million due through the terms of his signing bonus in 2017. 

That base salary ranks third among NFL tight ends behind Jimmy Graham and Jason Witten. However, the $12 million guaranteed Olsen's slated to earn over the life of the three-year extension he signed in 2015 doesn't match his worth to the Panthers or properly reflect his standing among the league's top tight ends. 

To wit, entering 2017, 11 tight ends—including Charles Clay, Zach Ertz, Kyle Rudolph, Coby Fleener, Jermaine Gresham, Dwayne Allen and Eric Ebron—have more guaranteed money built into their deals than Olsen. 

Considering Olsen leads all tight ends in receiving yards (3,185) since 2014 and has hauled in 16 touchdowns during that stretch, he would appear to be in line for a move into a more esteemed monetary tier. 

The Panthers could incur some risk by paying a 32-year-old skill position player for past production, but if recent history is any indication, Olsen should continue to produce like an elite tight end for seasons to come. 

Contract information courtesy of Spotrac.com.