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Saints star wideout Chris Olave has played his way to a contract that could rival the league’s best number one receivers from his class, if not reset the market. While he won’t be reaching Jaxon Smith-Njigba figures, he could be in line for a hefty payday.
He chose the best time to break out. In a young career held back by significant and consistent health concerns, Olave just tied his career high with 16 games played last season. That’s just the start of it, as he also became a second-team All-Pro in a competitive field of wide receivers. He notched 100 catches and north of 1000 yards receiving. He threw in 9 touchdown catches for good measure.

Performance doesn’t always equal reward, as we can see from George Pickens getting slapped with the Franchise tag by the Dallas Cowboys. What works to Olave’s favor is the immediate chemistry with franchise Quarterback Tyler Shough, and an offensive coordinator turned head coach with a brilliant offensive mind in Kellen Moore. Moore is sure to unlock all of Olave’s potential, and the coach’s success and job security could be aided greatly by a productive Olave.
With the Saints drafting 6’2, 200-plus-pound Jordyn Tyson to play alongside Olave, it could be a huge advantage to keep the All-Pro for a formidable one-two punch. Tyson was taken 8th overall with the idea that he could catch the jump balls similar to Saints great Marques Colston, while Olave takes the top off the defense as a deep threat. These two weapons on the outside and Juwan Johnson working the middle will move the chains enough to keep the Saints competitive in the South.
Drake London and Garrett Wilson from Olave’s class have been rewarded with contracts of four years, $141 million and 130 million, respectively, so that could be the range for the Saints wideout if they reach a deal. The two peers combined had only 4 more catches between them than Olave had on his own. Combined, they had around 200 more yards than the Saints star.
There’s still time to get the deal done, but Olave is under contract next year under his fifth-year option. It will be a balance between fear of recurring concussions and potential upside based on a stellar season. Keeping him in New Orleans long-term will accelerate their young quarterback and core’s progress. It will be exciting to see how he backs up his All-Pro campaign after battling a blood clot as well.
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