The Facts: Olsen won't need follow-up surgery. He's ready to move forward and start preparing for the 2018 season under new OC Norv Turner, who replaced Mike Shula following his firing two days after the season.

Diehards Line: Olsen spent nine weeks being a spectator in the 2017 season after breaking his foot in the second game, and after one half against the Jets, on the artificial turf at MetLife Stadium, he suffered a setback. The foot was so sore that the medical staff didn’t let the three-time Pro Bowl selection play in the second half. He then was held out the next week in a pivotal game against the NFC South rival New Orleans Saints. So it's good news that he won't need further repair. The tight end knows career-wise it’s an important time, being the last year of his contract. He realizes the team has to make a decision on whether to go ahead and extend his deal this offseason or wait and see how things play out. But Olsen isn’t worried that his role as a big part of the Carolina offense will change under Turner. He only has to look at past tight ends from Turner’s scheme. Specifically, he looked at what Antonio Gates did in six seasons (2007-2012) when Turner was the head coach of the San Diego Chargers. The future Pro Football Hall of Famer had 377 catches for 4,943 yards and 49 touchdowns during that span. Four times Gates led the Chargers in receptions, and the other two times he finished second. "Obviously, his reputation of what he’s been able to accomplish over the years is second to none," Olsen said of Turner. "I’m looking forward to working with him, what his twist of what our offense will be."