New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave recently completed the most successful season of his NFL career. He achieved career highs with 1,163 receiving yards, nine touchdowns, and 100 receptions over 16 games. These achievements are significant for Olave, who has had injury issues in previous years.
Olave’s performance came at a pivotal moment as he approaches the final year of his rookie contract. Although the Saints have exercised his fifth-year option, which will pay approximately $15.5 million in 2026, no new deal has been finalized. General Manager Mickey Loomis confirmed ongoing discussions but acknowledged that several details remain unresolved.
“We’re having a lot of discussions,” Loomis stated via the New Orleans Times-Picayune. “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.”
Recently, the Saints drafted another wide receiver, Jordyn Tyson from Arizona State, using their first-round pick. They also have a promising young quarterback, Tyler Shough, and signed running back Travis Etienne Jr. to a four-year, $52 million deal. The team also restructured Alvin Kamara’s contract to keep him in New Orleans.
Under head coach Kellen Moore’s guidance, the team is devoted to creating a balanced offense, with Olave being a critical component. At 26, Olave has proven his worth as a primary wide receiver when in good health.
The expectation is that an agreement will eventually be reached, but both parties need to agree on a fair valuation of Olave’s worth. His market value is estimated at $32.3 million per year, according to Spotrac. This would place him among the league’s highest-paid receivers alongside Justin Jefferson ($35 million), CeeDee Lamb ($34 million), and D.K. Metcalf ($33 million).
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