The New Orleans Saints are 1-5, and while they have plenty of teams interested in their players ahead of the trade deadline, New Orleans isn't eager to send away their stars.
One of the players gaining the most traction is Saints' wide receiver Chris Olave. Wide receiver-needy teams are looking to Olave as a top trade candidate, but the Saints' decision looks to be one that those teams won't be a fan of.
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Saints aren't looking to trade Olave at the trade deadline. Instead, the Saints are trying to lock up Olave for the long term, eyeing a big extension for the wide receiver.
Saints' front office eyeing long-term extension for Chris Olave
"The Saints have been trying to work out a long-term contract for receiver Chris Olave despite his name being attached to teams looking for pass catchers," Russini reports.
This update is a very noteworthy one. Not only are the Saints now seemingly not going to trade away Olave, which could've happened if the offers weren't great, but they are instead looking to keep him around for the long term.
Olave is in his fourth NFL season and has a fifth-year option in 2026 that the Saints have picked up. He's under control for another year after 2025, and now the Saints are looking to keep him beyond the 2026 season.
So far this season, Olave is off to a strong start. He has 342 receiving yards in six games on 39 receptions. He only has one touchdown, but his play so far has been good enough for the Saints to consider an extension.
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New Orleans has a tricky cap room to manage, but Mickey Loomis has shown the ability to sign players to big deals even with the narrow cap margins. Keeping Olave is a priority for the Saints, and as Russini reports, they're looking to extend him for the long term.
Olave's name has been floating in trade rumors this season, and with teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Giants, among many others, looking for wide receiver help, Olave would've had a very active trade market.
But now the Saints aren't planning to move Olave, instead electing to keep him with Spencer Rattler and the offense for 2025, while trying to extend him to a long-term contract that would keep the first-round receiver in New Orleans for a while longer.
More Saints News:
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- Saints trade idea ships $24.5 million star to AFC contender
- Beloved Saints defensive lineman Cameron Jordan is reportedly available for trade
- Sean Payton-Aaron Glenn relationship, explained: Revisiting Saints teams that included Broncos, Jets coaches