Saints reward Chris Olave for career year by making him one of NFL's highest-paid WRs — SkimNews
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- Chris Olave signed a four-year extension worth up to $132 million with $90 million guaranteed, making him the sixth-highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL per his agents.
- The deal takes effect in 2027 and keeps Olave in New Orleans through the 2030 season, after the team already exercised his fifth-year rookie option.
- Olave posted career highs in 2025 with 1,163 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns, becoming just the second Saint after Michael Thomas to record 100+ receptions in a season and earning second-team All-Pro honors.
- The contract comes despite Olave's four documented concussions across his first four NFL seasons, including nine games missed in 2024 — described in the article as 'effectively the only knock against him as a rising star.'
- Olave played under three offensive coordinators, two full-time head coaches, and six different quarterbacks (Andy Dalton, Derek Carr, Jameis Winston, Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, Tyler Shough) during his four seasons.
- Late-season chemistry with rookie QB Tyler Shough powered a 4-1 finish, with Olave catching 18 passes across Weeks 16 and 17 against the Jets and Titans.
- The Saints added free-agent running back Travis Etienne earlier in the offseason to ease pressure on second-year QB Shough, building around Olave in the NFC South.
Why it matters: The Saints are guaranteeing $90 million to a receiver who has suffered four concussions in four NFL seasons — a notable medical bet on their rising star. Pairing Olave with free-agent RB Travis Etienne and second-year QB Tyler Shough locks in a young offensive core through 2030 inside a wide-open NFC South.
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