Chris Olave Nearly Retired at 24-Now He’s Leading a Resurgent Saints Offense
Chris Olave has been the one constant in a New Orleans Saints offense that’s seen more than its fair share of turbulence since the end of the Sean Payton era. But as it turns out, the star wide receiver nearly walked away from the game entirely after just three seasons.
Olave, now 25, opened up about how close he came to retirement this past offseason. After suffering four documented concussions in his first three years-including two during a rough 2024 campaign-Olave found himself staring down a decision no player wants to face so early in their career.
“It was a tough time last year,” Olave said. “I was only 24 years old, contemplating retirement, especially with the head injuries, but I prayed about it.
My fam, my close fam was around me. They stuck by my side and I just gave it another try, another chance.
And it’s been a great year.”
That quote says it all. This wasn’t just a physical battle-it was a deeply personal one.
Olave leaned on his family, his faith, and his inner circle to get through what he described as one of the darkest stretches of his young career. And now, he’s not just back-he’s thriving.
Despite missing nine games in 2024, Olave has put together three straight seasons with 70+ catches and over 1,000 yards. That kind of consistency, especially amid the chaos surrounding the Saints’ offense, speaks volumes about his talent and resilience.
When he’s on the field, the difference is undeniable. Without him, the offense sputtered.
With him, they’ve looked like a completely different unit.
The Saints’ struggles over the past four years have been well documented, and 2024 was no exception. The team stumbled out of the gate, leading to the midseason firing of head coach Dennis Allen. But since then, under rookie head coach Kellen Moore, New Orleans has found a bit of a spark.
At 5-10, the Saints aren’t headed to the playoffs, but they’ve already exceeded expectations. This was a team many had pegged to finish dead last in the NFL. Instead, they swept the season series against the NFC South-leading Carolina Panthers and have shown signs of life, particularly on offense.
A big part of that resurgence? Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough.
Since taking over for Spencer Rattler, Shough has injected energy into the offense. He’s not just managing games-he’s making plays.
And with weapons like Olave and tight end Juwan Johnson, who’s having a career year, the Saints have started to find an identity.
The offensive line has also taken a step forward, thanks to the emergence of young tackles Taliese Fuaga and Kelvin Banks Jr. That stability up front has given Shough time to work and allowed playmakers like Olave to do what they do best: get open and make defenses pay.
It’s worth noting that Olave’s production has only gone up since the team traded No. 2 wideout Rashid Shaheed to the Seahawks. With more on his plate, Olave has stepped up, showing not just his skill set, but his leadership.
And he’s not looking to go anywhere. With one year left on his rookie deal, Olave made it clear he wants to stay in New Orleans long-term. He’s grateful to the organization for sticking by him, and he’s ready to commit to the future.
For a player who nearly walked away from the game, Chris Olave’s comeback story is as inspiring as it is impressive. He’s not just surviving in the NFL-he’s thriving. And if the Saints can continue building around him, this team might not be far from turning the corner.