Chris Olave to have ‘huge impact’ in 2025
04/01/2025
By Ross Jackson
PALM BEACH, Fla. — The NFL offseason trade rumor mill always finds a way, but perhaps one rumor can finally be out to rest around the New Orleans Saints.
During his media availability at Tuesday’s NFL annual league meetings, Saints head coach Kellen Moore again insinuated that wide receiver Chris Olave was a part of the team’s future.
“Chris is a phenomenal player,” he told reporters. “He has had a huge impact on this team. He’s going to have a huge impact (again).”
That’s a pretty strong indication that Olave is a part of the club’s future.
Many have speculated what trades would look like should the team be interested in moving him, but it’s all been mostly offseason conjecture and hypothetical situations. The Saints continue to be clear that the first-round wideout will be in New Orleans again in 2025.
As for his health progress after experiencing multiple concussions last season, which brought his year to a premature end, Moore sounded positive about his progress.
“From the medical side, on my side it’s just education and understanding the circumstances he is in,” he said. “Obviously we feel very comfortable about Chris, understand he’s been through a lot the last year or two. We feel like there’s a plan in place to continue to let him progress. Certainly I get the feeling that he’s really, really excited about this opportunity.”
Just a reminder that Chris Olave is that guy.
📺 https://t.co/KlYFEtTVGF pic.twitter.com/oTXrYivsMS
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) March 27, 2025
Olave has been the team’s leading wide receiver in receiving yards each of his three professional seasons. He led all offensive players in each of his first two. A world in which New Orleans would move on from a young and productive player like that would be a baffling one.
The Saints have the chance to pick up Olave’s fifth-year option before May 1 this offseason. Doing so would add another year to his rookie deal at a total of approximately $15.5 million.
It’s assumed that the team will pick up that option. However, with the rising price tags of those decisions, it’s not a negative indication if they do not. Often, as salary caps and salaries grow, teams will choose to extend early rather than pick up the option.