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Saints GM Issues Pointed Warning in Chris Olave Contract Talks
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave is coming off the best season of his NFL career.
He hauled in 1,163 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns on 100 receptions — all career highs — while appearing in 16 games. For a player who's dealt with injury concerns in recent years, putting up those numbers, with a rookie quarterback no less, was a welcome sight.
It came at the right time, too. Olave is entering the final year of his rookie contract with the Saints, and while the team already exercised his fifth-year option — set to pay him around $15.5 million in 2026 — he's due for a big payday.
Yet, as training camp gets underway, no deal has gotten done, and according to general manager Mickey Loomis, there are still some details that need ironing out.
"We're having a lot of discussions," Loomis said, 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."
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The Saints used their first-round pick — eighth overall — on another wide receiver, Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson, widely regarded as one of the best receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft. They also have a young, ascending quarterback in Tyler Shough and handed running back Travis Etienne Jr. a four-year, $52 million deal, while agreeing to a restructured contract with Alvin Kamara to keep him in New Orleans as well.
Under head coach Kellen Moore, a former offensive coordinator, this team is committed to building a well-rounded offense, and Olave is a crucial piece of that. When healthy, he's proven he can be a true No. 1 wide receiver in the NFL, and he's still just 26 years old.
It feels like a deal will get done at some point, but as Loomis said, the two sides need to land on a figure that reflects Olave's value without restricting the team.
Olave's current market value sits around $32.3 million annually, according to Spotrac , which would make him among the highest-paid receivers in the league, right alongside players like Justin Jefferson ($35 million), CeeDee Lamb ($34 million), and D.K. Metcalf ($33 million).
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