NFL executives make bold predictions about Saints' Chris Olave after contract comments

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave raised eyebrows when he said earlier this week that he is confident he and the Saints will come to terms on a contract extension before training-camp practices get underway in late July. 

Olave is currently in a contract year after New Orleans picked up the fifth-year option for 2026 attached to his deal. According to NFL insider Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom US, others around the league expect that the Saints will lock Olave down before the upcoming season gets underway. 

Kellen Moore doesn't want Chris Olave to go anywhere

"Olave has spoken optimistically about the chances to secure an extension with the Saints in the not-too-distant future," La Canfora wrote, "and officials who negotiate contracts for other NFL teams believe that, in fact, will be the case this offseason. ...He has proven his worth in the new offense being run and installed by young head coach Kellen Moore, and even with the Saints drafting another receiver (Jordyn Tyson) in the first round in April, Olave is someone other front offices believe will be a stalwart in New Orleans for years to come."

Olave finished the 2025 regular season, Moore's first in charge of the Saints, ranked seventh in the NFL with 100 receptions, sixth with 156 targets, eighth with 1,163 receiving yards and tied for eighth with nine receiving touchdowns. Understandably, Moore and Co. will not want second-year quarterback Tyler Shough to be without his favorite target as long as the two are healthy and available to play.

General manager predicts what Chris Olave could earn via next contract

"I think he wants $30M, and I think he ends up maybe coming in a little under that," one unnamed general manager who spoke with La Canfora predicted about what Olave could earn per season via his next deal.

According to La Canfora, the GM mentioned that "Saints top football operations official Mickey Loomis has a strong reputation for getting emerging talent extended." 

In short, receiver-needy teams that may have been hoping that Olave could become available at some point this summer or fall should probably put such dreams to bed.