Greg Olsen says he never saw former Chicago Bears general manager Jerry Angelo again after Angelo traded Olsen to the Carolina Panthers on the eve of training camp in 2011.
But if Olsen ever held a grudge about the way things ended with the Bears, who visit Carolina on Sunday, he doesn't anymore.
"Obviously, you're always shocked when you feel like you're not wanted anymore," Olsen told USA TODAY Sports by phone Thursday. "But I've been over that for a while. I've kind of learned how this world works, and it's all worked out for the best for everybody."
In an interview Wednesday with a Chicago radio station, Angelo said "it was a mistake" to trade Olsen, a 2007 first-round draft pick who had averaged a career-low 9.9 yards on 41 catches playing for offensive coordinator Mike Martz in 2010.
"I understand he wasn't the ideal fit in the scheme, but we let our best receiver go," Angelo told 87.7 FM The Game. "Obviously, it was (quarterback Jay) Cutler's favorite receiver at the time, and we let him out the door."
Olsen got the call from Angelo the night before the deal was completed after going through his pre-camp physical. His catch total has increased each year in Carolina, with a career-best 73 for 816 yards and six touchdowns in 2013.
One thing Olsen hasn't done is get a win against his old team. He had five catches for 50 yards and a touchdown in a 34-29 loss in October 2011, a couple months after the trade, and three catches for 23 yards in a 23-22 loss in 2012.
"To be honest with you, I never really got too wrapped up in that," Olsen said. "My approach every game really tries to stay the same. I try not to make it about me. I try not to make it about my personal vendettas.
"It's a whole new regime there, new management, new coaches, not a lot of guys still left from when I was there."
Bears GM Phil Emery has made significant changes since replacing Angelo, who was fired after the 2011 season, thanks in part to a spotty record with first-round draft picks.
Olsen was perhaps Angelo's best hit at No. 31 overall in 2007 and is still going strong at age 29. He's tied for the Panthers' team lead with 21 catches for 254 yards and two touchdowns with another year remaining on his contract.
"I feel great. I feel as good as I've felt my whole career," Olsen said. "So, just try to keep beating Father Time and keep clipping these years off."
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