The New Orleans Saints have started their preparations for the 2026 season, and there’s a lot of excitement surrounding the rebuilding team. While much of the optimism is being generated by young and new players on the roster, the Saints also have some exciting veterans returning.
One of those players is Chris Olave. The veteran receiver is ready to be a leading playmaker for what has a chance to be a really productive offense. Individually, it’s also a huge year for Olave because he’s entering the final season of his rookie contract.
Despite the receiver actively seeking an extension, he has been present and participating at OTAs. On Thursday, Olave was asked why that’s the case and he gave an answer that Saints fans will absolutely love. The veteran receiver expressed that he’s committed to winning. While he’d love to have a deal done before training camp, he has no plans of staying away from the team while the business is being handled.
“I think it’s going to get done soon.”
— Boot Krewe Media (@BootKreweMedia) May 28, 2026
-Chris Olave talks about his contract pic.twitter.com/mN0iTV913L
Chris Olave remains focused on winning as he hopes for a new contract
Olave emphasized that he’s a team player, and that since the franchise hasn’t had much success in recent years, he knows it’s important to take part in these offseason activities. The receiver expressed that the business side of things is a different part of the game, and something that he hopes will figure itself out in due time.
The wideout is set to make almost $15.5 million in 2026, which is the fifth-year option of his rookie contract that the Saints elected to pick up. However, Olave is set to be a free agent after the season, and that’s why the pressure is on to get a deal done before training camp.
Players typically like to have some long-term security as opposed to playing on a contract year, especially if they feel they earned an extension. A case can certainly be made that Olave did his part, since arriving in New Orleans, to get paid.
Selected with the 11th-overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Olave has developed into the No. 1 receiver for the Saints. While he has had some scares with concussions, the receiver has mostly been durable during his first four years, playing in 55 games. In those games, Olave caught 291 passes for 3,728 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Now, he’s ready to cash in as he works to lead the Saints to more success in this new era.
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