New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave recently ended his most successful NFL season. He achieved 1,163 receiving yards with nine touchdowns, all from 100 receptions. These numbers marked career highs during his 16-game appearance.
For Olave, injuries were a concern previously, but his recent performance was promising. This success came at an opportune time as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. The Saints had already secured his services by exercising the fifth-year option, which guarantees him around $15.5 million in 2026. However, negotiations for a larger contract have yet to conclude.
As training camp begins, a new contract is still in discussion. General manager Mickey Loomis said, speaking to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, “We’re having a lot of discussions. 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 made significant moves to enhance their offense. They used their first-round pick on Jordyn Tyson from Arizona State, considered one of the top wide receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft. Additionally, the team boasts a promising young quarterback, Tyler Shough, and secured running back Travis Etienne Jr. with a four-year, $52 million deal. Alvin Kamara’s contract was also restructured to maintain his presence in New Orleans.
Head coach Kellen Moore, with his offensive coordinator background, is focusing on forming a versatile offensive unit. Olave is a key part of this strategy. Even at 26 years old, he has demonstrated the potential to be a leading wide receiver in the NFL, provided he remains healthy and performs at his best.
A resolution appears likely eventually, but as Loomis mentioned, the agreement must reflect Olave’s worth without straining the team’s resources. Olave’s market value is reportedly around $32.3 million annually, as per Spotrac. This would place him among the top-earning receivers in the league, comparable to Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, and D.K. Metcalf.