Saints’ Chris Olave Set for Blockbuster Trade to Steelers After Calvin Austin’s Injury
In a stunning turn of events, the Pittsburgh Steelers could be poised to make a major trade after a devastating injury to wide receiver Calvin Austin. Austin, who had been showing strong promise in his fourth season, suffered a shoulder injury during Week 4, sidelining him for several weeks. With the Steelers already thin at the receiver position, the loss of Austin could force the franchise to pursue a high-profile replacement, and the New Orleans Saints' Chris Olave may just be their answer.
Olave, who has been a standout for the Saints, is currently playing on his fifth-year option without a long-term contract extension in place. As a result, Olave could be one of the first players moved if the Saints opt to enter rebuild mode following their disappointing start to the season. At 24, Olave is one of the league's top young receivers, known for his speed, agility, and deep-ball prowess. His potential to help an offense in need is undeniable.
The Steelers have been eyeing Olave for months. Despite previous reluctance to trade for a wide receiver, the circumstances have changed dramatically with Austin's injury. Now, Pittsburgh finds itself in a prime position to make a splash before the trade deadline. With their eyes set on a Super Bowl run, acquiring Olave could be the move that elevates the Steelers to elite status in the AFC.
The Saints, who are 0-4 and facing an uphill battle this season, could be willing to part ways with Olave if it means securing future assets. Reports indicate that the Saints could be looking for a second-round pick in exchange for the young star. Given the Steelers' current roster and their need for a game-changing receiver, Olave would be an ideal fit.
For Mike Tomlin and the Steelers, this trade could be the bold step needed to not only address their receiver depth but also to make a statement in the AFC. Olave’s talent paired with the Steelers' strong defense could set them up for a deep playoff run. But the question remains: will they act swiftly before other teams in need of a receiver come calling?
Bears Trade Proposal Sends Recent Cowboys 1,000-Yard RB to Chicago
Getty
Rico Dowdle could be a trade option for the Bears.
Four weeks into the 2025 season, the Chicago Bears are averaging 102.3 yards per game, which is ranked 24th in the NFL heading into Week 5.
With RB1 D’Andre Swift and rookie seventh-rounder Kyle Monangai carrying the load, the Bears are averaging an unimpressive 3.8 yards per rush. Considering the unit just amassed a meager 69 yards and 2.7 per carry in Chicago’s Week 4 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, Chicago might want to use a chunk of its bye week to survey the running back landscape.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report thinks a “conditional 2026 7th-round pick” would be adequate compensation in a trade for RB Rico Dowdle, which would cost Chicago far less than, say, trying to trade for a player like Alvin Kamara. Knox named the Bears as one of two teams who fit as a logical trade partner.
Teams looking for a running back but are not interested in paying for a big name like Kamara should inquire about Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle,” Knox wrote on October 1. The former Cowboys starter signed a one-year deal with Carolina this offseason but hasn’t been a big part of the game plan. He’s caught five passes, logged 28 carries and tallied 103 yards with a touchdown.”
A Look a Dowdle’s Career Thus Far
Undrafted out of South Carolina in 2020, Dowdle made the Cowboys’ roster that year, playing entirely on special teams. He missed his 2021 campaign with a hip injury and most of 2022 with an ankle issue, but he finally carved out a role for himself in 2023. He finished with 89 carries for 361 yards and two touchdowns that year in a limited role before breaking out in 2024.
Last year, he had 235 carries for 1,079 rushing yards (4.6 per carry), also adding 39 catches for 249 yards and five total TDs. He signed with Carolina in March on a one-year deal worth up to $6.25 million, and through Week 4 he’s at 28 carries for 83 yards and a TD as the Panthers’ No. 2 back.
Dowdle has nice size at 5-foot-11 and 215-pounds, and turned 27 in June. He averaged 3.5 yards after contact last year—fifth among qualifying RBs by Next Gen Stats. In 2025, he’s working behind Chuba Hubbard while rookie Trevor Etienne rotates in, so there’s a chance Carolina would be willing to move him.
The Chicago Bears Should Try to Trade for Panthers RB Rico Dowdle
GettyRico Dowdle might be a perfect trade option for the Chicago Bears.
“Dowdle is, at worst, a high-end backup and does have depth value for Carolina,” Knox added. However, the 1-3 Panthers appear to be in the middle of another lost season and might as well get a longer look at rookie Trevor Etienne.
Dowdle is a low-frills guy with a north-south running style, and he’d be a better yards-after-contact player than Swift. The two would pair nicely together in Chicago’s backfield, as both are good pass-catchers and playmakers when the ball is in their hands. He wouldn’t need to be Christian McCaffrey or Saquon Barkley — he’d just need to be a role player who’d give the Bears more options while also helping take the physical toll off Swift.
The fact that Dowdle is on a one-year deal should also interest the Bears. He could be a mid-season rental if he doesn’t workout or gel in the offense, and if Chicago likes him, he could be re-signed easily.
Plus, if all it would take to move him is a conditional future sixth- or seventh-round pick, the Bears should pounce. Dowdle isn’t a big name, but the Bears don’t need one, at least at RB. They need a reliable set of legs, and he could give them that.
