New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave signed a $132 million extension on the second to last day of July. One game into that contract, the former first-round pick showed that the money is worth it.
Before this, Olave's best career game featured 148 receiving yards in as many catches. A 34-yard increase is a big jump and also currently leaves Olave at the top of the league in terms of receiving yards as well. What makes the performance last Sunday even better, though, is the fact that it's the second career-best statline Olave has put up in as many games.
If it wasn't for Olave, then the argument can be made that the Saints wouldn't have been so close to a comeback win as they were. He helped light a fire under the offense with his 47-yard catch in the third quarter and kept the fire going up until the final whistle blew. Targeted 13 times last Sunday, he had 10 catches for a career-high 182 yards.
Saints WR Chris Olave showed up when it mattered most
Chris Olave also helped spark the Saints' near comeback after the team was shut out in the first half. It's that 47-yard catch specifically that really lit the fire, with the play serving as a defibulator for the rest of the offense. Spark never fading, Olave kept the offense pushing until the final whistle.
Showing up in critical moments like that is exactly what the team pays him $132 million for. Even if it didn't end in a W this time around, the Saints won't be able to think about playing in the playoffs without a WR1 who's at his best when he's needed most.
Olave was also targeted 13 times on the day as well, which shows how central he is to the Saints' game plan. The willingness of quarterback Tyler Shough to keep looking his way nearly paid off in the end, with the team taking the Lions to over time after being shut out 21-0 after two quarters.
The performance was also one for the record books, as Olave's 182 receiving yards was the second most in franchise history during a season opener since 1979. Wes Chandler's 205-yard record against the Atlanta Falcons stands the test of time, but it's still crazy that Olave got as close as he did. If he was that close to a franchise record, then the season ahead is bound to be something special.
It's a quick payoff for Olave and the Saints, who just inked the deal a little over a month ago. Doing things that Saints receivers haven't done in over four decades, the extension is already looking like a smart investment, full stop.
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