The Facts: Another offseason, another potential contract dispute involving Olsen. Olsen, 33, wants to stay with the Panthers and believes he can play another three to five years. But he also is eyeing a broadcasting future, one that could begin sooner rather than later if he’s hired as Jon Gruden’s replacement on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football.” Olsen was in Bristol, Conn., last month auditioning for the role. “My preference would be to know my future here in Carolina past this year, if I’m being honest. Whether or not that happens, we’ll see,” Olsen said Tuesday.

Diehards Line: Olsen, the three-time Pro Bowler, had incentives added to his deal last summer after first telling the Observer he wanted to be paid among the highest-paid players at his position. That contract – which will pay Olsen $6.5 million in base salary this year – expires at the end of the 2018 season. Olsen said he’s always had good communication with Panthers HC Ron Rivera and GM Marty Hurney, who added the incentives to Olsen’s deal shortly after being hired as interim GM last July. “If this was my last year in Carolina, I’d have no ill will," Olsen said. "They’ve been more than generous and good to me. I would prefer it to be longer. But this team is a lot more than just my situation.” Olsen became the first tight end in NFL history to record three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons when he accomplished the feat from 2014-2016, earning Pro Bowl honors every year over that span.