The Saints’ first training camp practice will happen on July 29. One in all the team’s top storylines leading as much as that time is the contract status of Chris Olave.
An extension has been a long-running discussion point between team and player on this case. As things stand, Olave is because of play on his fifth-year option in 2026. That might see him collect $15.49MM, a figure which doubles as his team-high cap charge for the approaching season.
A protracted-term commitment would come as little surprise, though. As Larry Holder of The Athletic writes, an expectation exists that an extension agreement will likely be reached in time for Week 1. Olave himself said last month he’s aiming to have a deal in place by the onset of coaching camp. The potential of a multiyear commitment being in place inside the following few days will remain something to look at closely because of this.
Olave was limited to eight games in 2024, but he managed to avoid any further concussion issues while remaining largely healthy last season. Lingering blood clot issues led to missed time in the course of the spring, although the 26-year-old is cleared to take part in padded practices during camp. A hold-in could possibly be staged within the event no deal is in place when summer work begins. Olave, though, has not indicated his plans in such a scenario.
Recent Orleans’ passing attack has leaned heavily on the Ohio State product during his profession. Olave has received at the least 119 targets in each of his three healthy campaigns, and he set recent profession highs across the board in 2025 with a 100-1,163-9 statline. Expectations will likely be high for an additional productive outing during quarterback Tyler Shough‘s first full 12 months because the Saints’ starting quarterback, even with first-round rookie Jordyn Tyson in place as a brand new starting receiver.
The Saints have managed to scrub up their cap relative to recent years with less dead money charges due in the long run for aging veterans. Olave is a logical candidate to profit from that additional spending power beyond 2026, something which could soon be realized in the shape of an extension.