Carolina Panthers TE Greg Olsen reports to avoid being 'distraction'

Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen said he plans to finish his existing contract and reported to training camp to avoid being a further distraction.

Olsen was the subject of backlash in the wake of the franchise firing general manager Dave Gettleman last week. Olsen was scorned in media reports linking fragile and failing negotiations with Olsen and linebacker Thomas Davis as a key reason Gettleman was let go.

"At the end of the day it really came down to with everything going on, obviously now with the transition to (interim GM) Marty (Hurney), kind of the slight chaos that went around for another week I didn't think that it was right to add fuel to that fire," Olsen said. "Make things that much more complicated, add any more distraction or controversy to our team."

Olsen, 32, is scheduled to make $6.5 million in 2017 and the same salary in 2018.

Hurney promptly rewarded offensive guard Trai Turner with a new contract upon taking over as general manager. Davis said he expects contract discussions to pick up.