Saints Star Gets 4-Year, $77 Million Contract Projection Amid Trade Buzz
The New Orleans Saints seemingly came into the 2025 season with low expectations, especially after quarterback Derek Carr opted to retire during the offseason. The Saints were left to choose between Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough at quarterback, while neither guy seemed like a franchise option. Eventually the Saints chose Rattler.
After Rattler led them to a 1-7 start to the year, the Saints recently decided to bench Rattler and start Shough going forward. But this rough start to the season has the Saints in the middle of a lot of trade rumors.
Alvin Kamara was at the center of some trade buzz for a while, but he stated he'd rather retire than be traded, so those rumors have calmed down. But star wide receiver Chris Olave has found himself the subject of the same kinds of trade rumors.
The Saints have the star under control for one more year before he hits free agency, but should they move him?
Saints need to prioritize signing Chris Olave to an extension
Instead of trading Olave, it seems like the Saints want to sign him to a contract extension. Olave has stated that he's been working on a contract extension with the Saints since the beginning of the season.
Spotrac recently projected Olave would sign a four-year, $77 million deal as his next contract, which would certainly fit the Saints' payroll.
In all likelihood, Olave is going to sign a bit of a bigger contract than this, likely closing in on $100 million over four years.
There have been some health concerns in the past, but when healthy, Olave is a star. He's a wide receiver No. 1 caliber player with the ability to take over the game. And he's shown this ability without stable quarterback play. If Olave gets a solid quarterback alongside him, he could break out into a true superstar.
Having a young wide receiver like Olave next to a young quarterback is crucial for a rebuild, whether it's Shough, Rattler, or another rookie next season. The Saints need to do all they can to make sure Olave stays in New Orleans for the next five or six seasons.
Cowboys Trade for Myles Garrett Just Got a Lot More Likely After New Report
A notable NFL insider has offered up a detailed explanation for why the Dallas Cowboys making a blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett in the next week is very realistic.
After the Cleveland Browns gave superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett a four-year extension worth $160 million earlier this year, it seemed even more likely that the six-time Pro Bowler would actually finish his career in Cleveland. Then Week 8 happened.
On Sunday, Garrett had a game of a lifetime as he posted five sacks against the New England Patriots. However, it meant nothing as the Browns were still blown out by a score of 32-13. Garrett was seen enraged on the sidelines late in the game, and speculation grew louder that he could push for an exit like he reportedly did earlier this year.
However, many around the game believe his massive contract would make a trade very difficult. But, according to ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano, that may not necessarily be the case. He admits that trading Garrett now would mean a big dead cap hit to Cleveland in the years ahead. But various teams have taken on bigger cap hits while getting nothing in return.
“That’s a lot of dead money, but it’s not even close to the record,” Graziano writes. “The Broncos took on about $80 million when they cut Russell Wilson last year, and they made the playoffs last season and look poised to do so again. The Buccaneers are still carrying Tom Brady’s dead money and they won their division every season. We see teams do this more and more as the salary cap continues to rise significantly each year.”
Cowboys could create perfect draft scenario for Browns in Myles Garrett trade
Along with that, Graziano added that there are two other key factors in a potential trade before the Nov. 4 NFL trade deadline. First, Garrett has to want it. Considering the Browns’ long-term outlook and where he would go in the deal, waiving his no-trade clause shouldn’t be a big problem. But Cleveland also must get an offer that makes it worth taking on all that dead money.
Well, the Cowboys are one of the few teams that can make the sort of offer the Browns would want, and that is two first-round picks in April, according to Graziano. After the Micah Parsons trade, they will have two first-rounders in 2026, and following his exit, they still have a desperate need for pass-rushing help this season and beyond.
- Myles Garrett stats: 8 games, 10 sacks, 31 tackles, 15 tackles for loss
“Cleveland would be looking at the possibility of having four first-round selections in the 2026 draft,” Graziano wrote. “The Browns would be able to completely control Round 1 and come out of it with whichever quarterback they wanted. The acquiring team would have to pay Garrett a fairly reasonable $31.5 million in fully guaranteed money in 2026 and about $30.5 million in 2027.”
Based on those details, it sure seems like a blockbuster Myles Garrett trade for the Dallas Cowboys is there for the taking if the star pass rusher really wants out. Especially since the Browns could have a franchise-changing draft next year from what they could get in the deal.
