The New Orleans Saints had to make a decision on their 2022 first-round draft picks on whether they were going to pick up their fifth-year option or not. The Saints had two first-round picks that year, snagging Chris Olave and Trevor Penning, so that meant two decisions had to be made.
Not exercising Penning's fifth-year option made sense, as the offensive lineman has been a disappointment since the Saints spent the 19th overall pick on him three years ago. Olave, on the other hand, gave the Saints a more difficult decision. The 11th overall pick in 2022 balled out during his first two seasons but struggled to stay healthy in 2024.
There had been some rumblings that Olave could be traded in the offseason due to the Saints' less-than-stellar salary cap situation and the fact that they don't look poised to be contenders anytime soon. That being said, the Ohio State wideout has the ability to be this team's top wide receiver (and has shown that already) and the Saints clearly recognized that, opting to pick up his fifth-year option.
Saints make right decision by picking up Chris Olave's fifth-year option
The trade rumors never really did make much sense. Sure, Olave has battled injuries and concussions but when he's on the field, he's proven himself to be a major threat for the Saints. With Tyler Shough joining the team and having a chance to start at quarterback for New Orleans as early as this year, it's important to give him as many weapons as possible.
Simply put - The Saints are a better team with Olave and that's why picking up the fifth-year option was absolutely the right move for New Orleans. If the Saints can't end up getting an extension worked out with him, that's fine, but at least this way, they have the talented wide receiver under contract for at least two more years and hopefully that goes a long way toward helping this offense thrive.
