The Facts: Following up on a previous item. ... Less than 21 hours after emails announcing Olsen’s availability in trade were leaked to the Tribune, the Bears have dealt the veteran tight end to Carolina. According to an NFL source with knowledge of the situation, the Bears traded Olsen to the Panthers for a player and a draft pick.

Diehards Line:The Bears gave Olsen’s agent Drew Rosenhaus permission to shop Olsen, and they are believed to have come to terms with the Panthers on a contract extension as the 2007 first-round draft pick was entering the final year of his rookie contract with the Bears. Olsen caught 41 passes for 404 yards and five touchdowns last season, but Mike Martz offenses have rarely utilized the position to catch the ball downfield. Now, the Bears could be in the market for a wide receiver to add to the mix. Meanwhile, Olsen joins forces with Jeremy Shockey in Carolina, giving the Panthers a potent receiving duo at the position.