Are Bears Shopping Greg Olsen?

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Jul 28, 2011 3:30PM

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is no doubt struggling through his broken engagement just as he's trying to get his head right for the start of training camp. Could the Bears QB also have to move forward without his best bud, too?

Rumors are flying again that the Bears are shopping tight end Greg Olsen, after Olsen's agent Drew Rosenhaus sent an email to all NFL general managers -- even the Bears front office -- last night. In his note, Rosenhaus announced that the Bears were making Olsen available and was seeking "reasonable"' proposals for the tight end. The agent quickly rescinded his email. But was that quick about face done because he misunderstood the Bears intentions with the former first round pick? Or because they simply want to dial back the sales pitch?

Olsen has played four seasons for the Bears, racking up 1,981 yards receiving and 20 TDs. But offensive coordinator Mike Martz isn't fond of the tight end position in his passing game, and Olsen did see his numbers drop off under Martz. But with veteran Desmond Clark unlikely to return, moving Olsen would leave the Bears with just Brandon Manumaleuna and Kellen Davis at tight end. Rather than trade him, we'd rather see Martz use his offensive "creativity" and learn to love the TE. The team's offense would be better served if he could find ways to better utilize a guy who has a good rapport with Cutler.