The New York Jets are in the market for a wide receiver. The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported on Wednesday that the Jets are "among several teams monitoring the trade market for potential wide receiver additions," along with the San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings.
This news should come as no surprise, given the current state of the Jets' wide receiver room. Outside of Garrett Wilson, the likes of Josh Reynolds, Allen Lazard, Tyler Johnson, rookie fourth-round pick Arian Smith, and others are competing for spots in one of the weakest WR depth charts in the NFL.
While few expect the Jets to make a splash at the position, if they did decide to swing for the fences, few additions would be more exciting than landing Chris Olave.
The New Orleans Saints star has become the subject of trade rumors entering his fourth NFL season. While he may be a bigger target than the Jets would likely pursue, the chance to pull off an ultimate Ohio State reunion with him, Wilson, and Justin Fields makes the idea worth exploring, at least preliminarily.
The Jets could reunite Justin Fields, Garrett Wilson, and Chris Olave in blockbuster trade
Fields led Ohio State to consecutive College Football Playoff appearances in 2019 and 2020, with Wilson and Olave emerging as two of his top receivers. The three Buckeyes standouts headlined what was one of the best offenses in the nation, and all three would go on to be top-11 picks in the NFL Draft.
Olave hasn't found quite the same degree of NFL success as his former Ohio State receiver-mate, but he's still developed into one of the better young receivers in football. The 25-year-old recorded consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to begin his NFL career before injuries derailed his 2024 campaign.
Olave was limited to just eight games in 2024, during which he recorded 32 catches for 400 yards and a single touchdown. His season was derailed by concussion issues, marking his second in as many years.
Since entering the NFL, Olave has now suffered four concussions, and five when including his college career, raising questions about his long-term football future, even as his talent remains undeniable.
That's partially why the Saints have been hesitant to commit long-term to Olave, who became extension-eligible this offseason. The team did, however, pick up his fifth-year option for 2026, a sign that they still do believe in his future to some degree.
That hasn't prevented Olave's name from popping up in trade rumors this offseason, however. Any team acquiring Olave would likely do so with the intention of extending him, which complicates the situation for a Jets team that just paid Wilson top dollar.
It also seems highly unlikely that the Jets would be willing to part ways with the draft capital necessary to acquire a 25-year-old wide receiver with two 1,000-yard seasons under his belt. The Jets are more likely to target cheap veterans or even the waiver wire instead.
Still, the idea of reuniting the Ohio State trio in New York is hard not to get excited about. Fields, Wilson, and Olave sharing the field again would instantly spark excitement for a Jets fan base that desperately needs some.
The familiarity and chemistry they built in Columbus would have the potential to translate to big plays and highlight-reel moments in Florham Park. It's a fun storyline to imagine, even if it’s just a dream for now.
Realistically, the Jets trading for Olave is probably more fantasy than actual reality, but it can be fun to dream, right?
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