On paper, the New York Giants trading for receiver Chris Olave would make a good amount of sense. The New Orleans Saints don’t plan on being competitive in 2025, and Olave is eligible for an extension, with his free agency looming after the 2026 season.
The Giants could stand to upgrade at receiver, too, and the chance to sign him to a long-term deal makes a trade all the more enticing.
That doesn’t mean a move is coming down the chute. Saints coach Kellen Moore recently quieted the rumors surrounding Olave, letting the Giants (and the rest of the league) know that he isn’t available.
“I wouldn’t worry too much about that,” Moore told reporters during his press conference on Thursday. “We feel really, really good about Chris. He’s had an excellent offseason, he’s had an excellent career so far, and he’s going to have an excellent future.”
There’s every chance Olave signs a second contract with New Orleans, but a handful of concerns still linger, potentially making him available (or, perhaps, less appealing).
Paramount is the five concussions Olave has suffered since debuting at Ohio State. He entered the league with one to his name but has been plagued by head injuries throughout his career. This came to an urgent head in the middle of the 2024 season. In Weeks 6 and 9, Olave suffered concussions, bringing his total to (at least) five.
That’s incredibly concerning for Olave and puts his long-term status in doubt.
Olave found 32 catches for 400 yards and a touchdown in his half-season’s worth of work in 2024. Prior, he posted two 1,000-yard seasons. On a pure talent level, he’s a star and an upgrade over veteran Darius Slayton. That isn’t necessarily enough to warrant a deal, especially given New York’s early schedule and the likelihood that it will be out of contention by the deadline.
The team also just re-signed Slayton to a three-year deal. He’s a beloved veteran in the locker room and stands to improve with Russell Wilson under center. Upsetting that dynamic immediately after signing him isn’t good politics, which New York might be inclined to monitor after general manager Joe Schoen ruffled feathers with corner Nick McCloud a season ago.
Olave is a movable receiver and a better option than Slayton. Given just about everything else necessary for a trade to come to fruition, it is more worth hoping he has a healthy season and hits free agency in 2026.