Saints WR Chris Olave looking to build on career-best performance

By Ross Jackson

Coming out of the 2024 season, things were uncertain surrounding New Orleans Saints star wide receiver Chris Olave.

His season had ended early with a brutal head injury stemming from the impact of an irresponsible hit over the middle of the field against the Carolina Panthers. Olave wouldn’t return to the field for the remainder of the year, but did work his way back to participating in practice.

Olave navigated a number of head injuries and concerns throughout that year, so much so that it caused him to consider retirement in the offseason.

Upon making his return in 2025, breath was collectively held each time he took a hit. But that was soon forgotten as his production and confidence shot up throughout the year, which turned into a career-best season for the wideout.

Storming Back

The receiver was one touchdown shy from becoming the first ever Saints player to reel in over 100 catches for more than 1,000 receiving yards and eclipse 10 receiving touchdowns in a single season.

He still crossed the other two thresholds, making him only the second player in franchise history to do so. He finished 2025 with 100 receptions for 1,163 receiving yards and nine touchdown catches. He was, without question, the team’s top threat at wide receiver. But now, his outlook is shifting because he’s got some help at the position. Some first-round help.

Looking Ahead

The Saints invested the No. 8 overall selection in this year’s NFL Draft in Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound playmaker was considered one of, if not the, top wideout in this year’s class. 

His addition is sure to take pressure off of Olave and give the Saints a weapon that will draw attention away from last year’s leading receiver, allowing his game to open even more going into 2026. 

While there will be more mouths to feed for the Saints’ offense, who made several key additions this offseason, Olave has proven that he can shoulder the competitive weight of the passing-game. During his final three games in 2025, the wideout was the clear focus at his position while receiver Devaughn Vele was sidelined with injury. During that trio of matchups, Olave averaged eight receptions for 117.3 receiving yards and totaled four touchdown catches.

All three games were also wins.

With quarterback Tyler Shough at the helm (who built quick and demonstrable chemistry with Olave), a healthy run game to build off of and more weapons to soak up some of the defensive attention, Olave should be in for another big season in 2026.