New Orleans Saints Reportedly Looking to Lock Up Chris Olave With New Contract Extension

The New Orleans Saints may be preparing to make a significant investment in one of the franchise’s most important offensive players.

According to The Athletic’s Larry Holder, there is an expectation that wide receiver Chris Olave will sign a contract extension with the Saints before the start of the 2026 season. While a deal has not yet been announced, the report suggests New Orleans is eager to secure its No. 1 receiver for the long term. After a breakout 2025 campaign, it’s easy to understand why.

Olave Delivered a Career Year in 2025 For The New Orleans Saints

Following an injury-plagued 2024 season, Olave bounced back in a major way last year. The former first-round pick finished with 100 receptions for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns, establishing himself as the centerpiece of the Saints’ passing attack. Not only were those numbers among the best of his career, but they also reinforced his status as one of the NFL’s rising young receivers.

Most importantly for New Orleans, Olave quickly developed chemistry with quarterback Tyler Shough.

That connection became one of the biggest positive storylines of the season and gave the Saints hope that they have a long-term offensive foundation in place.

Saints Want Continuity Around Tyler Shough

One reason an extension makes so much sense is the development of Shough.

As the second-year quarterback continues to grow, having a proven top target becomes even more valuable. Rather than allowing Olave to approach free agency, the Saints appear interested in ensuring their young quarterback maintains his favorite weapon for years to come.

Holder noted that once an extension is completed, attention will naturally shift to whether Olave can continue producing as the unquestioned top option in the offense. That’s exactly the role the Saints envision for him moving forward.

One Final Hurdle Remains

While the expectation is that a deal gets done, Olave still has something to prove.

Holder pointed out that New Orleans wants to see continued production and durability before handing out a major payday. Health has been one of the biggest questions surrounding Olave during his NFL career, and the Saints will likely want confidence that his excellent 2025 campaign wasn’t an outlier.

Fortunately for Olave, he answered many of those concerns last season. He stayed on the field, posted career-best numbers, and showed he can handle the workload of a true No. 1 receiver.

Big Payday Appears to Be Coming

Assuming negotiations proceed as expected, Olave could soon join the growing list of highly paid NFL receivers.

The timing makes sense for both sides. The Saints get cost certainty and keep one of their best offensive players, while Olave receives long-term security after proving he can be a difference-maker.

Based on his performance last season and his growing importance to the offense, it would be more surprising if New Orleans didn’t extend him.

For now, all signs point toward the Saints rewarding Chris Olave with a new contract and making him a central part of their future alongside Tyler Shough.