The New Orleans Saints agreed to a four-year contract extension worth up to $132 million with wide receiver Chris Olave on Thursday. The deal includes $90 million guaranteed, running through the 2030 season and locking in the franchise’s top pass catcher as he returns from a blood clot.
Contract Terms and Financial Structure
The New Orleans Saints and top receiver Chris Olave agreed on a four-year contract extension worth up to $132 million, agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed. The franchise announced the extension without disclosing financial specifics, which were initially reported by ESPN.
The agreement includes $90 million guaranteed. Because the organization previously exercised the fifth-year option on Olave’s rookie contract, the new extension takes effect in 2027 and ties the wideout to New Orleans through the 2030 season, making him the sixth-highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL.
Injury History and Offseason Preparation
Olave enters the new deal following a career-best campaign in 2025, but his medical history brought unique complications to the negotiation table. He missed nine games in 2024 due to multiple concussions—suffering four concussions across his first four professional seasons—and sat out the final game of last year’s schedule after being diagnosed with a blood clot that required treatment with blood thinners.
Despite those hurdles, general manager Mickey Loomis confirmed that Olave was fully cleared to practice by the start of training camp. Loomis acknowledged that the player’s health history formed a distinct variable in discussions but praised the receiver’s consistent approach.
“Chris has been as enthusiastic and optimistic as anyone. So I really, really appreciate the way he’s conducted himself. And that’s not just this year — that’s every year with Chris. He’s an absolute joy to have on our team.”
Saints sign Chris Olave to four-year extension
Mickey Loomis, General Manager, via Newsday
Olave attended offseason workouts and reported on time for training camp, participating on a limited basis during initial practices to manage potential exposure to injury. Coach Kellen Moore addressed the delicate balance between contract talks and field preparation during camp.
“There’s the business side and there’s the football side, obviously. And we know sometimes those two overlap. As long as we all communicate and we’re all on the same page. … We always have to remind ourselves, everyone has the same goal. Everyone’s shooting for the same things. It’s just sometimes the business side takes a little bit of a lead on this for a matter of time.”
Selected 11th overall out of Ohio State in the 2022 NFL Draft, Olave quickly established himself as a centerpiece. He topped 1,000 receiving yards in each of his three healthy campaigns, compiling 159 receptions for 2,165 yards and nine touchdowns combined across his first two seasons alone.
In 2025, Olave earned second-team AP All-Pro honors after setting career highs with 100 receptions, 1,163 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns. That reception total made him only the second player in franchise history, joining Michael Thomas, to reach the 100-catch mark in a single season.
That production came despite constant shifts in the team’s offensive structure. Olave played under three distinct offensive coordinators and two full-time head coaches while catching passes from a revolving group of quarterbacks that included Andy Dalton, Derek Carr, Jameis Winston, Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, and Tyler Shough.
The offense found late-season rhythm when Olave paired with quarterback Tyler Shough down the stretch in 2025. After a slow start, the Saints won four of their final five games.
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The Olave-Shough tandem surged in Weeks 16 and 17, combining for 18 receptions. Olave posted 148 yards and two touchdowns against the New York Jets before adding 119 yards and another score against the Tennessee Titans.
By securing Olave long-term and adding free agent running back Travis Etienne earlier in the offseason, the front office aims to give Shough a stable supporting cast. Those weapons are expected to ease the pressure on the second-year quarterback as New Orleans targets contention in a competitive NFC South.
