Chris Olave just made it even tougher for the Saints and other teams to make a smart decision ahead of NFL trade deadline
Chris Olave has had some incredible moments with the New Orleans Saints. He proved his potential in a huge way during Week 7, even though the Saints fell short against the Chicago Bears. As the losses keep coming, it will be interesting to see how Olave gets handled at this year's trade deadline by the Saints.
Chris Olave impresses versus Bears even with Saints loss
The wideout, who has certainly heard about the trade rumors around him, dominated on Sunday afternoon for New Orleans. He was easily the most consistent pass catcher for Spencer Rattler, and the young quarterback found him in the end zone twice.
Olave finished the game with five catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns. It was one of the most impactful performances of his NFL career so far, and it came at both a good and bad time for the Saints. With the output, Olave increased his trade value, but he also gave the Saints a glimpse at his upside when he is playing his best football.
New Orleans will have a tough choice to make in the coming weeks. Do they actively and aggressively shop Olave to increase their upcoming draft capital and even possibly add a player at a different position of need? On the flip-side, do they instead keep Olave and look to lock him into a contract that will keep him in New Orleans for the foreseeable future?
If the WR had continued to have inconsistent play before the early November deadline, it would have been easier for the Saints to move him. Not to mention, this sort of performance and increased intrigue around the league could push teams to have to offer more in order for the Saints to accept a deal. They may not want to do that with Olave not under contract after next season.
Hypothetical top offer from AFC foe
If the Saints chose to deal Olave to the AFC, the Pittsburgh Steelers make plenty of sense as a landing spot. They have interest in adding another wide receive before the deadline, so I asked A to Z's own Rob Gregson about the potential most expensive offer that the Steelers could offer.
"The Steelers just dropped 31 points and saw Pat Freiermuth record arguably the best stat line of his career after being invisible all season. To say they would sell the farm for a WR feels a tad rich, but the team still needs another option on the perimeter, make no bones about it.
The absolute most I could see Pittsburgh giving up in terms of pure draft capital would be a second round pick in 2026. If the Saints wanted a player, say like Alex Highsmith or Calvin Austin III, I would say a day three pick in the 2027 NFL draft attached to the asset.
I think the Steelers want to have their cake and eat it too. That may not be the best for negotiations, but it tends to be how Khan and co. operate." -- Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports Pittsburgh
This sort of deal makes a ton of sense for both sides. If the Saints want to get as much as possible for Olave, then this time frame and type of offer is in that sweet spot most likely. I do not see the value of him getting any higher this offseason, without a contract in place. For the Steelers, they'd still have to agree to a new deal with the wideout to keep him in the fold for the long-term.
Broncos OLB Nik Bonitto Calls Out Giants Stars After Comeback Win
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Nik Bonitto #15 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a sack against the Tennessee Titans.
The Denver Broncos got an improbable comeback victory over the New York Giants in Week 7, and outside linebacker Nik Bonitto made sure to set the record straight afterward, dropping a one-word summary for his Week 7 opponent.
Bonitto and fellow Broncos EDGE Jonathon Cooper ruffled feathers leading into this game with comments about the Giants in general, quarterback Jaxson Dart, and their fans.
After the game, Bonitto said he was unable to find some of the more prominent Giants stars.
Nik Bonitto Calls Out Giants’ Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux After Broncos Notch Comeback Victory
GettyNik Bonitto #15 and Jonathon Cooper #0 of the Denver Broncos celebrate after a sack against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Much of the conversation stemmed from Cooper telling reporters on October 15 that Dart was “feeling himself” for wearing a chain and sunglasses. It soon evolved into Bonitto calling the Giants fans “delusional” in a since-deleted post. Bonitto reiterated his thought postgame.
This time, he called out his Giants counterparts, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
“5 [Thibodeaux] and 51 [Carter] left so fast I couldn’t find em after the game [laughing emojis],” Bonitto said in a since-deleted post on X on October 19. “#Delusional.”
Carter posted on X to “Put ya 3D glasses on” in response to Cooper’s comments, to which the Broncos pass rusher shared a smiling face emoji wearing sunglasses, saying in another post that his “shades been on.”
Thibodeaux joined later and referenced “Training Day” and “Goodfellas” after catching up.
Carter said that “we gonna settle everything on the field” on Sunday during his media availability leading up to the game.
“I guess it’s settled huh? [laughing emoji] #Broncoswin,” defensive tackle John Franklin-Myers said in a post on X, in an obvious nod to Carter’s comments, drawing a repost and a crying laughing emoji from Bonitto.
Jonathon Cooper Clears Air About Jaxson Dart
Cooper cleared the air postgame, saying he was complimenting Dart, and even praised the Giants for competing.
“I feel like things were just kind of taken out of proportion; I feel like I was giving him a compliment, lowkey,” Cooper told reporters on October 19. “I was saying he was he had some swag out there.
“They wanted to turn it into something that it truly wasn’t. You gotta give credit when credit’s due, though. They played a great game. They played a phenomenal game, putting up points. Definitely went out there and balled. So, give credit to them, for sure. And I just feel like everything just kind of got blown out of proportion for sure.”
Cooper also tipped his cap to the Broncos’ offense for “carrying” them in the contest. The Broncos trailed the Giants 19-0 and 26-8 before a flurry of lead changes left them victorious.
Dart completed 45.4% of his passes for 283 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception on the day.
Broncos Must Be Sharper
(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys calls a play against the Carolina Panthers.
The Broncos entered the contest ranked second in scoring and total defense. They allowed 387 net total yards to the Giants. They needed Bo Nix and Co. to score three times in less than four minutes of game time and a game-sealing field goal from Wil Lutz to get the win.
Up next, the Broncos are the Dallas Cowboys, who will visit Denver in Week 8.
Cowboys’ QB Dak Prescott entered this week second in passing yards and touchdowns. He had the third-lowest sack rate among qualifying QBs, per Pro Football Reference. Bonitto, Cooper, and the Broncos must be sharper to get a win next week.
