New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave is celebrated for an impressive NFL season. He amassed 1,163 receiving yards and nine touchdowns from 100 receptions, marking personal bests. Olave achieved this while participating in 16 games, which is significant for a player concerned with previous injuries. Notably, these achievements came with a rookie quarterback at the helm.
Olave is entering the last year of his rookie contract with the Saints. The team exercised his fifth-year option, which will pay him around $15.5 million in 2026. Nonetheless, a lucrative long-term deal is anticipated.
As training camp begins, Chris Olave and the Saints have yet to finalize his new contract. General Manager Mickey Loomis commented on ongoing discussions in the New Orleans Times-Picayune, emphasizing their desire to reach an agreement. “We’re having a lot of discussions,” Loomis said. “We’re just not there yet. We’re hopeful… We want to get it done. Chris and his agents, Jason and Drew Rosenhaus, I know they want to get it done. We all do, but it’s got to be right for both parties.”
The team’s recent decisions reflect a commitment to a robust offensive strategy. The Saints drafted another promising wide receiver with their first-round pick, Jordyn Tyson from Arizona State. They also retain a potential star quarterback, Tyler Shough, and have recently negotiated lucrative deals with running backs Travis Etienne Jr. and Alvin Kamara.
Under head coach Kellen Moore, the offense is being fine-tuned with Olave as a vital asset. At 26, Olave shows potential to be a leading wide receiver in the NFL when fit to play.
A final deal seems likely, but Mickey Loomis highlights the need for a balanced agreement. Olave’s estimated market value is around $32.3 million annually according to Spotrac. This valuation places him among league’s top-earning wide receivers, near Justin Jefferson ($35 million), CeeDee Lamb ($34 million), and D.K. Metcalf ($33 million).