Olave’s Market Value Climbs as WR Deals Reshape NFL Landscape
One key playmaker for the New Orleans Saints will be ecstatic to see the latest wide receiver news swirling around the NFL. An NFC foe just inked their top wide receiver to a new deal, setting him up to have some big pay days in his future. Could Chris Olave follow suit for the Saints in the future?
Terry McLaurin's new contract sets precedent for other receivers
According to reports, the Washington Commanders have agreed to terms with Terry McLaurin on a three-year deal worth up to $96 million. Washington has been land locked in negotiations with McLaurin, and he has been holding out as he waited for an extension. It's come to fruition.
McLaurin shares a strong relationship with star quarterback Jayden Daniels and had a career year a season ago as the top pass catcher for the Commanders. Accordingly, the organization rewarded him. This deal is yet another domino to fall in the wide receiver market, joining DK Metcalf's monster deal (among others) earlier in the offseason.
Potential extension for Chris Olave
The young wideout for New Orleans had his fifth-year option picked up by the team, so he is on the roster for the next two seasons as of now. Olave won't reach free agency until 2027. That being said, both Olave and the team would probably prefer to find a middle ground on an extension before he reaches the open market.
Olave isn't rushing the team to negotiate, though. The wideout understands that his lack of availability at times due to injuries has thrown a curveball into contract projections. He wants to prove that he can stay available and healthy for the Saints this season.
"I mean, of course I want to stay here a long time, get an extension going, but just coming off the season I had, just out for the year, I'm not really looking at it right now. I feel like l've got to prove myself to be able to get that type of money or get that type of deal, so like I said, I'm not worried about it. I know it's going to come, but I'm just taking it day by day and try to be consistent every day to be able to stand out, to be able to make it easy on them to offer that type of deal. ..." -- Olave on a contract extension
McLaurin's deal sets a clear target price tag for Olave - as long as he proves that he can stay healthy going forward. It's been plenty of bad luck involved, particularly with Olave's concussions. Regardless, the deal for the Commanders wide receiver opens the door for the Saints to have an idea of what he may expect ahead of free agency down the road.
