New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave has seen his name come up in trade rumors this offseason, but it does not sound like head coach Kellen Moore is anticipating a blockbuster deal in the coming months.
Moore was asked on Thursday about the talk that Olave could be traded as the Saints enter what appears to be a rebuild. The first-year coach had a fairly blunt response.
“I wouldn’t worry too much about that,” Moore said.
While that was not an explicit denial from Moore, there are plenty of other ways he could have answered the question. He could have avoided it altogether or said the team does not want to rule anything out. It is probably telling that he dismisses the rumors.
Olave, the 11th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, had more than 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first two seasons with the Saints. The former Ohio State star missed significant time last year after suffering multiple concussions, which limited him to just 32 catches for 400 yards and a touchdown.
Olave is under contract for two more years after New Orleans picked up his $15.5 million option for 2026.
The Saints are holding an open competition for their starting quarterback job between second-round rookie Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener. Very few people expect New Orleans to contend for a postseason spot in 2025, but that does not mean they want to trade their best wide receiver.
While Olave has been linked to one notable AFC team, the cost to acquire the 24-year-old would likely be too step for most teams even if the Saints were open to a trade.
Latest NFL contract report puts a lot of pressure on the Saints to extend one of their young playmakers at a high price
A recent update from an AFC squad could affect the New Orleans Saints offense. Both in the short-term and long-term, we could see the black and gold trey to get a new deal done with one of their fan favorite playmakers.
Ravens extend WR Rashod Bateman
According to the team, the Ravens have agreed to a new deal with wide receiver Rashod Bateman.
But as it turns out, the Ravens' newest big extension is to a player that they just extended 14 months ago — wide receiver Rashod Bateman is signing a new three-year contract extension worth up to $36.75 million dollars. Reports have $20 million guaranteed.
That contract is now stacked with three more years of control beyond 2026. It is, admittedly, an unconventional move. It isn't often that you see contract extensions granted with multiple years left on a deal given out the year prior, yet that's exactly how the Ravens played their hand here. -- Kyle Crabbs
Why does this matter for the Saints? Two words. Rashid Shaheed.
The speedster is the WR2 for New Orleans as we enter this season, behind Chris Olave. The Saints did add veteran WR Brandin Cooks to the fold this offseason as well. Considering Shaheed's production, particularly last season before his injury, it puts him into the conversation similar to Bateman.
Shaheed is 26 years old, while Bateman is 25. While Shaheed did finish last season on the shelf due to injury, he's dealt with less injuries in his NFL career than Bateman.
According to OTAs practice videos, Shaheed looks healthy and ready to return to the field sooner than later for New Orleans, too.
We'll see if Shaheed lands a new deal with New Orleans this offseason or sometime during the season. If he doesn't, he will hit the open market next year to see his free agency options.
