After a rocky 2024 season that left more questions than answers, Chris Olave came into 2025 with something to prove - not just to the league, but to himself.
Injuries had cast a long shadow over the early part of his career. Multiple concussions - four in his first three seasons - had some wondering whether the former first-round pick out of Ohio State might walk away from the game altogether.
The concerns were real, and so was the toll. When a player’s health, particularly brain health, becomes a recurring headline, it’s no longer just about football.
It’s about longevity, quality of life, and the weight of what it means to keep playing.
But the Saints didn’t flinch. Despite outside speculation that Olave might be traded while his value was still high, New Orleans’ front office - led by GM Mickey Loomis and new head coach Kellen Moore - doubled down on their belief in Olave’s talent and character. They kept him in the building, bet on his bounce-back, and gave him the opportunity to thrive in a revamped offense.
And thrive he did.
In 2025, Olave didn’t just return - he elevated. With Moore injecting fresh creativity into the Saints’ offensive scheme and a stable presence at quarterback, Olave finally had the structure and support to showcase the full scope of his game.
The result? A career year that silenced the doubters and earned him a spot on the AP All-Pro Second Team - the first such honor of his young career.
Let’s break it down:
- Games played: 16
- Receptions: 100
- Yards: 1,163
- Touchdowns: 9
- Longest catch: 62 yards
- Fumbles: 0
That’s WR1 production, plain and simple. And it didn’t come easy.
Olave ran crisp routes, found soft spots in coverage, and showed off the kind of body control and field awareness that made him a first-round pick to begin with. He was reliable in traffic, explosive in space, and, maybe most importantly, available - suiting up for all but one game.
The chemistry between Olave and his quarterback was evident from the jump. Whether it was timing throws on deep outs or quick hitters over the middle, the trust was there. And under Moore’s direction, Olave was moved around the formation, used in motion, and given chances to attack defenses in different ways - a far cry from the more static role he’d played in previous seasons.
Now, with one year left on his rookie deal, the next step is clear: extension talks. The Saints would love to lock him in long-term before he hits free agency in 2027, and based on his 2025 campaign, Olave has every reason to expect a contract that reflects his value as a top-tier pass catcher.
For a player whose future once felt uncertain, Olave’s resurgence is one of the more compelling comeback stories in recent memory. He’s not just back - he’s better. And if 2025 was any indication, the best may still be ahead.