Katherine Terrell
METAIRIE, La. — New Orleans Saints large receiver Chris Olave does not have a look at social media too typically, nevertheless it does not imply he does not see issues.
Commerce rumors about him and operating again Alvin Kamara have been “all around the web,” he acknowledged final week. Olave mentioned he understands his identify might be floated on the market because the commerce deadline approaches on Nov. 4 as a result of Saints' struggles and 1-6 report.
Olave, 25, sounded assured chatting with reporters about the potential of sticking round New Orleans long run. Not solely have he and the group been in discussions a few potential extension for a number of months, however the membership has been connecting with him, he mentioned Sunday.
“That is all I am assured about. Clear communication. I see what is going on on. We're on the identical web page,” Olave mentioned Sunday following the group's 26-14 loss to the Chicago Bears.
Saints normal supervisor Mickey Loomis instructed WWL Radio on Tuesday that the group has fielded calls about just a few gamers however didn't say who.
He mentioned any commerce of a participant might be selected a case-by-case foundation. “We'll have a look at every factor individually. We'll talk about it.” Loomis mentioned. “However I am not within the enterprise of buying and selling away good gamers except the offers are simply too good to refuse.”
The rumors compelled Brandin Cooks, who was traded away from the Saints in 2017 earlier than returning this season, to hunt out Olave to implore him to give attention to himself and never the issues mentioned exterior.
“And the recommendation is issues within the entrance workplace, you'll be able to't management. It is also a praise when groups are calling for you and prepared to supply regardless of the case could also be, so that ought to provide you with that confidence, that increase, that you are a prime canine on this league as a result of persons are calling for you. Simply management what you'll be able to management, go to work, be the very best you'll be able to presumably be,” Cooks mentioned.
Being the group's major receiving goal has include its ups and downs for Olave. He went into final season making an attempt to acquire the mindset of the Saints' No. 1 receiver when Michael Thomas was launched, admitting that he needed to work on contested catches and turning into a greater blocker.
However Olave's profitable moments have been derailed by two documented concussions, one in every of which abruptly ended his 2024 season. The concussion, his fourth identified one in his four-year NFL profession, occurred on Nov. 3 when he was making an attempt to go up for a move from Derek Carr towards the Carolina Panthers. Olave was crushed between two Panthers defenders, fell to the bottom and didn't get again up. He was positioned on a backboard by medical employees and transported to the hospital and wouldn't play once more, ending the season at eight video games, two of which he performed a mixed 10 snaps.
Olave noticed concussion specialists throughout that stretch as he recovered, a time by which he mirrored on his future.
“We're blessed. It isn't a typical job. You'll be able to have a look at the report, you have a look at the destructive stuff, however on the finish of the day we're grateful to be wholesome,” Olave mentioned Sunday. “Go on the market and play for one another. I had a season-ending damage final yr, so form of modified my perspective on issues. And even by means of the dangerous video games, the nice video games, I am simply grateful to go on the market and grateful to have the ability to have [that] alternative.”
Now that Olave is wholesome once more, the highlight has been vivid in 2025. He acquired criticism for dropping two passes in a Week 6 loss to the New England Patriots. Olave had 10 targets in that sport, and he mentioned that utilization ought to include a better customary.
“I really feel like all of them ought to have [been caught]. That is how I have a look at it. I maintain myself to the best requirements,” Olave mentioned final week. “Any ball that is in my radius, I really feel like I can catch. … On the finish of the day, I really feel prefer it's all I work for. I labored so arduous to have the ability to be on this place, to have the ability to get these predominant focused video games. Acquired to make the most of it. When the ball comes my manner, I'll be ready.”
Olave mentioned he believes he has hit his stride one third of the best way by means of the season, regardless of these errors. He had one in every of his greatest video games of the season towards the Bears.
“He stepped up and made some nice contested catches, and I do know there was lots of discuss him final week and he simply confirmed he is nonetheless Chris, he is a canine,” Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler mentioned. “So, we depend on him loads and [we've] bought full confidence in him.”
Olave had 98 receiving yards in every of his previous two video games and scored the Saints' solely touchdowns towards the Bears. One got here two performs after a 57-yard bomb from Rattler within the last minute of the primary half. The opposite kicked off the second half of the eventual loss, marking the primary two-touchdown sport of his profession.
“CO performed superior on this sport … made some large performs downfield, the 2 touchdowns, the explosive play downfield, the 50-plus yarder,” Saints coach Kellen Moore mentioned. “I assumed he responded actually, very well.”
Via seven video games, Olave has 44 catches for a quarter mile and three touchdowns, surpassing final season's marks of 32 catches for 400 yards and a landing.
However whereas issues have began to click on for him, the group has struggled in Moore's first season with one only one win by means of Week 7 — the Saints' worst begin since 1999. And Monday, the Saints discovered they are going to be with out heart Erik McCoy and operating again Kendre Miller after they suffered season-ending accidents.
The remainder of season definitely will not be straightforward, however Olave hopes he can construct on components of the Chicago sport — for himself and the remainder of the group — as he tries to disregard the commerce rumors.
“That is what I count on out of myself man. That is simply what all people expects being the kind of participant I'm,” Olave mentioned. “So I simply bought to construct on it at this level. It is horrible shedding the sport, being 1-6, however I really feel like we had some good issues in th,is sport. I really feel like we may construct on that.”
