Why Picking Up the Option for Wide Receiver Chris Olave Would Be a Smart Move for the Saints

Whenever an NFL team’s offense is on the field during a play, the main focus is usually on the quarterback. The crowds both in the stadium and watching on TV count down with the clock placing themselves in the mind of the player shouting out the potential play. Suddenly the shouting ceases, followed by a brief silence, a pause to take a breath, and the ball is snapped to the quarterback. Among the flurry of activity, Chris Olave of the New Orleans Saints propels himself forward. After several yards, he hooks to the left, turns his head to look at the quarterback, and their gazes meet through their caged helmets. The immediate response is the football being launched and propelling through a cacophony of the players. Olave maintains his entire focus on the football, never allowing it to leave his sight because it has become the center of his world. As it nears him he raises his arms, brings his hands up to chest level, spreads the fingers on his hands, and waits for the football to land in his palms. As soon as there’s contact, he knows that now there is an entire defensive line that will be pursuing him. He reminds himself that as one of the team’s best weapons, he will soon be able to bring his team closer to the red zone.

For the past three seasons, fans of the Saints have been fortunate to be able to watch the talented wide receiver, Mr. Chris Olave. Starting at the age of 22, he started his professional career on a team where his skills could be honed, strengthened, and permitted to flourish. His stats for his initial season prove this: 15 games played, 72 receptions, 1,042 receiving yards, and four touchdowns. His second-season stats increased across the board with 16 games played, 87 receptions, 1,123 receiving yards, and five touchdowns. Another season was starting off well for him in 2024 but unfortunately, a concussion during Week Nine sidelined him and would prematurely end his season with the team. Out of the eight games he had already played, he had already accumulated 32 receptions, 400 receiving yards, and one touchdown.  Suffice it to say, he was on his way to another fantastic season if it hadn’t been interrupted by an injury.

The question now for the Saints regarding their upcoming season is whether or not to bring back Chris Olave as a wide receiver. At 25 years old when the season begins, he will still be in the prime of his professional career. His above-listed stats prove that he yields results week after week for his team. After three seasons on the Saints, he has now become one of the “reliable regulars” for the quarterback. In the meantime, he’s likely focusing on recovering which has provided him plenty of time to memorize passing routes, strengthen his body, and coordinate with the quarterback. By the time they begin their season playing against their division nemesis the Atlanta Falcons, hopefully, the Saints will be able to have Mr. Olave playing alongside them ready to increase his stats to a professional best.