Playing for the New Orleans Saints means everything from a historical standpoint. If you play in the city, you’re beloved, and if you cement yourself as a legend, you’re given the keys to the city.
The same goes for the wide receiver position. Since the beginning of the 21st century, New Orleans has seen more than a few receivers come close to a potential 1,000-yard season, or achieve above that threshold in their tenures with the Saints. This played a role throughout the Saints’ success in the mid-to-late 2000s and 2010s under head coach Sean Payton.
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Marques Colston, Kenny Stills, Brandin Cooks, Michael Thomas, and now that list extends with Chris Olave under Kellen Moore.
There’s no denying that the summer of 2026 was filled with controversy, drama, and trades that will go down in the history books. Admittedly, New Orleans contributed to this by extending the former Ohio State phenom to a four-year, $132 million deal with $90 million of that being guaranteed, an extension that was widely regarded as an ” overpay.”
With this extension, the Saints standout is currently ranked 10th among all receivers as the highest-paid at the position.
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Since joining the league in 2022, Olave has accumulated a total of four concussions, including a collegiate season-opener against Nebraska back in 2020. Furthermore, he unfortunately experienced a season-ending blood clot in his lungs ahead of the 2025 season-final against the Atlanta Falcons.
In an interview from December, the 26-year-old mulled on the idea of potentially retiring from the game:
“I just got to thank God, it was a tough time last year. I was only 24 years old, contemplating retirement, especially with the head injuries, but I prayed about it,” Olave stated. “My fam, my close fam was around me, they stuck by my side, and just gave it another chance.”
The questions and uncertainty surrounding sophomore quarterback Tyler Shough entering 2026, this added even more fuel to another unfortunate, uneventful cause that could seriously decapitate the future of the Saints. However, Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, and throughout the first two games of the season, Olave is debunking that theory, placing second in receiving yards (268), averaging 14.9 yards per reception and 134 yards per game.
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The only player in front is the reigning AP Offensive Player of the Year and former collegiate teammate of Olave, Jaxson Smith-Njigba.
With New Orleans drafting Jordyn Tyson eighth overall in the 2026 draft – who’s four years younger than Olave – the Saints arguably constructed one of the best one-two punch duos in the NFC South. It also showcased the amount of leadership the 26-year-old would have to take on, as he would have to contribute to the growing pains behind the young rookie’s upcoming campaign.
Currently, three players are under the age of 25 and play major roles in New Orleans’ future success and aspirations for a second Lombardi. Retaining Olave this offseason was crucial for the roster, given his increase in age and veteran presence.
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At 1-1, New Orleans is in the running for the division title just two weeks into the year, placing them second behind the Carolina Panthers. It appears that the division leader will have to come through these two teams; however, Week 3 won’t come easy against Las Vegas, who’s coming off a stunning victory against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Raiders have allowed an average of 284.5 defensive yards per game, allowing 13.5 points to opponents, ranking ninth in the NFL. Compare that to Brandon Staley’s New Orleans defense; they’ve allowed a total of 340.5 yards and 24 points per game. Statistically, Las Vegas outweighs New Orleans, but talent-wise it’s the opposite.
In Klint Kubiak’s return to New Orleans, he’s familiar with most of the veterans on the roster, as he was previously the team’s offensive coordinator in 2024. Kubiak is one to thank for the early developmental years of Olave’s career.
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Entering this home matchup, head coach Moore will have to utilize Olave more than ever alongside teammate De’Vaughn Vele in order to strengthen the chemistry between Shough and his receivers.
