Analyst names under which conditions the New Orleans Saints would consider trading Chris Olave

Not many are predicting the New Orleans Saints to be a playoff contender in the NFC. With a quarterback room consisting of Tyler Shough, Jake Haener, and Spencer Rattler, not only are win projections low, but veterans are being discussed in potential trades.

A name that is only coming up in hypothetical scenarios right now is Chris Olave. The former Ohio State Buckeye didn’t take a step forward in 2024, suffering from the same QB issues the rest of the receiving corps dealt with.

Olave finished with just 32 catches, 400 yards, and a touchdown during eight appearances because of a rash of injuries throughout the season, including a concussion against the Carolina Panthers in November.

Olave was carted off the field during the NFC South contest. Many believed his career was potentially over at that point. Olave said in January that he feels “regular” during his post-season interview.

“No symptoms, as far as concussions symptoms since I've been hurt,” Olave said.

With that, Olave is expected to return to the Saints this season. Assuming New Orleans is realistic about where they sit on the league’s totem pole.

SI’s Jackson Roberts believes the Saints would only consider dealing Olave if they’re resigned to the fact that this roster won’t contend for much beyond top-pick seeding in 2025.

“The sticking point here is whether the Saints are willing to admit they're at the start of a rebuild. If so, trading Olave with two years of control left makes a lot of sense. But if they're digging in their heels about staying in contention, it's hard to imagine they'll move on from the 24-year-old,” Roberts said.

New Orleans grabbing Derek Carr at the age of 30 after relative mediocrity during his Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders tenure was a win-now move that ultimately burned them.

We’ll see if they’ll continue making those, specifically, holding onto Olave when perhaps it makes sense to let go.