During his seven seasons in Carolina, it took Wesley Walls 98 games to set the standard for future Panthers tight ends.

Eight years after he retired, it took him just one game to realize Greg Olsen was coming for his franchise records.

"I knew it was going to happen the first time I saw him play with the Panthers,” Walls said Thursday. “He’s going to get them all."

"If I could come back, I would want to be Greg. He's got the speed, the hands, the total package."

In what was arguably the best trade in Panthers' history, former general manager Marty Hurney dealt Chicago a 3rd-round pick for Olsen on the eve of training camp in 2011. Since then, he’s broken Walls’ team record for most single-season receptions by a tight end three times. And as soon as this Sunday against Washington, Olsen could pass Walls in total receptions and receiving yards.

"If you go out and you're consistent, you try to produce at a consistent level, week after week, year after year. I guess you're bound to accomplish something,” Olsen said in his typical aw-shucks way.

"Obviously, I have a tremendous amount of respect for Wesley. He really played at a high level. He was the pinnacle of tight end play in this organization for a long time. I know him personally and I hope he doesn't mind."

“How close am I?"

Nine catches and 32 yards.

"I got that in me. I can do that,” Olsen said. "Sorry, Wesley."

Season w/CAR	WALLS (G/Rec/Yds)	OLSEN (G/Rec/Yds)
1st	16/61/713	16/45/540
2nd	15/58/746	16/69/843
3rd	14/49/506	16/73/816
4th	16/63/822	16/84/1,008
5th	8/31/422	9/45/664
6th	14/43/452
7th	15/19/241
TOTAL	98/324/3,902	73/316/3,871

Olsen wasn’t the only one unaware of the pending Panthers’ history. No one had told Ron Rivera, either. Before Carolina’s coach knew, he was asked about the two times he played against Walls, who was starting his career with the 49ers as Rivera was finishing his with the Bears.

“[He was] a lot like Greg Olsen,” Rivera said. "The pass-catching threat, a good blocker, handsy blocker, very strong at the point."

Walls, who still lives in Charlotte, also sees similarities. 

“Greg's skill set is very similar to mine. I think he's is a little faster to me, that's not surprising,” Walls said. "He does remind me of myself a lot in terms of his work ethic, the way he works on the field. He’s passionate about football, passionate about his job. He's a leader on the field; guys look up to him to make plays and he does."

Olsen’s done it for four and a half seasons, far from the spotlight that shines on the Rob Gronkowskis and Jimmy Grahams of the league.

Perhaps the most underrated aspect of Olsen’s game is his availability. After a knee injury kept him out the first two games of his rookie season, he’s made 135 straight starts, with 57 of those coming in Carolina.

"I think when you start breaking records, regardless of where and what level, I think it's just a product of consistency and durability and being able to play this game for a long time,” Olsen said.

"That's something I probably take the most pride in than anything, playing week in, week out, playing through things, trying to be accountable and reliable."

When No. 1 receiver Kelvin Benjamin was lost for the season in training camp, many wondered who quarterback Cam Newton would throw to. Like most defenses in 2015, many forgot about Olsen. His 45 receptions, 664 yards and five touchdowns easily pace the unbeaten Panthers' passing game and put him sixth, third and fifth, respectively, among NFL tight ends.

"He's one of the biggest reasons why the Panthers are where they are now,” Walls said. "He's so steady and consistent, and to me, consistency at that position is one of the main attributes that leads to success."

"I've got nothing but good things to say, even in the face of a couple records going down. But there's got to be one or two left there."

Yes, Wesley, there are.

With CAR	WALLS	OLSEN
Pro Bowls	5	1
Touchdowns	44	27
TDs in single season	12 ('99)	6 ('13, '14)
Consecutive games w/TD	5	3 ('11)
Consecutive games w/rec.	70	57 (active)

As with all stats, comparing players who worked in different decades is an apples and oranges situation. Power forwards played basketball, not tight end in Walls’ time, so it was easier for him to pile up Pro Bowls. But Carolina's current offense is more dependent on Olsen, who’s not surrounded by Muhsin Muhammad, Raghib Ismail and Mark Carrier.

A more level playing field is the golf course, where the two best tight ends in Panthers’ history meet up at least once per summer.

“He’s going to break all my records, but I can take him on the golf course,” Walls claimed.

15 days after Olsen turns 31 next March, Walls will be 50. By then, he'll no longer be Carolina’s all-time leader for catches and yards by a tight end. At least his name will be replaced by a guy he respects enormously.

"I've thought about it, I kind of put it in my mind, 'Hey, there's no doubt he's going to break every record I've ever had with the Panthers,’” Walls said.

"I knew he had that kind of ability, and for him to be there at that point, I'm proud. I'm proud of what I was able to accomplish, but I'm also proud for Greg, too."