Chris Olave quietly had one of the best seasons of any wide receiver in the NFL in 2025. While the New Orleans Saints failed to reach the playoffs, the former first-round draft pick earned second-team All-Pro honors.
From a financial standpoint, his timing couldn't have been better. Entering his fifth season, Olave is eligible for a contract extension. Now that he has solidified himself as a star, the Saints have an obvious decision to make in extending him.
But the price of the deal could vary significantly depending on when he signs it. With multiple other big-name wide receivers set to earn new contracts in the coming months, Olave's number could rise by the week. If they want to maintain a manageable salary cap hit, the Saints need to sign their wideout as soon as possible.
Saints' Chris Olave contract extension is more urgent than it seems
Olave wasn't the only receiver from the 2022 draft class to make a splash in the NFL. Just in the first round, modern-day stars like Drake London, Garrett Wilson, and Jameson Williams came off the board.
Wilson and Williams have already been paid, with the former earning $32.5 million per year on his new deal. Olave will undoubtedly use that number as a benchmark in his contract negotiations.
London could be the next to be extended, as he is in ongoing talks with the Atlanta Falcons over a new contract. His deal will likely be north of the $30 million mark, pushing an eventual Olave extension even higher.
Other receivers like George Pickens and Puka Nacua are eligible for new contracts, too. While Olave won't be paid as much as those players, their deals will pull his price up.
Spotrac currently estimates that Olave will earn about $33 million per year on his next deal. At the projected value, he would be the sixth-highest paid receiver in football. That would be in line with what receivers with similar production are making.
The Saints can't afford to wait too long to agree to a new contract with their superstar receiver. With each week that goes by, they risk seeing another big-name wideout sign a groundbreaking extension, sending Olave's expected number through the roof. If they don't sign him quickly, they could lose valuable salary cap space to support other areas of the roster. He's left no doubt that he's worthy of a big contract, so why wait?
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