Saints pick up Olave’s fifth-year option, pass on Penning
04/23/2025
By Ross Jackson
NFL teams have until May 1 to make their decisions on whether or not they will pick up the fifth-year options of 2022 first-round draft picks. For the New Orleans Saints, that includes wide receiver Chris Olave and offensive tackle Trevor Penning.
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis made the team’s decision known early during his pre-draft press conference.
The #Saints will pick up the fifth-year option on WR Chris Olave, but not OL Trevor Penning.
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) April 23, 2025
“We are going to exercise the option on Chris (Olave) and we’re not going to exercise the option on Trevor (Penning),” Loomis said. “But that doesn’t mean we don’t love Trevor and (we) expect him to be part of our team going forward.”
Neither decision is wildly surprising. Olave started his career off strong with two consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 2022 and 2023. It was only due to a series of head injuries and concussions that his 2024 season was more limited (400 receiving yards). He has a lot of talent and the Saints see him as a part of their future, as new head coach Kellen Moore has made clear before.
“Chris is a phenomenal player,” Moore said during this year’s annual meetings. “He has had a huge impact on this team. He’s going to have a huge impact (again).”
Olave’s option is expected to cost the Saints just north of $15 million in 2026, unless they get a long-term extension done before then, which is an option.
As for Penning, he struggled early with health and consistency at left tackle but took a major step forward last year when moved over to the right side. However, one year of positive momentum isn’t going to be enough for the Saints to commit an estimated $16 million to him for his fifth season.
But as Loomis made clear, not picking up the option on Penning does not make him a castaway. It just means there’s more for the young lineman to prove himself with his new coaching staff and the potential of a highly-selected offensive lineman in this week’s draft.
The Saints passed on picking up offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz’s fifth-year option as well, but still signed him to a second contract. The same could be the case for Penning, should he be able to continue his improvements in 2025.