Saints should finally make roughly $141 million decision on star receiver for Tyler Shough

The New Orleans Saints made a big decision in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, taking wide receiver Jordyn Tyson to help out second-year quarterback Tyler Shough.

Based on that draft pick, and their other selections down the board in the draft, along with their two big free agent moves of signing Travis Etienne Jr. and David Edwards, it's clear this team is building around Shough.

With all of those QB-centric moves, ESPN's Aaron Schatz believes the Saints should finally make a long-term decision on star receiver Chris Olave, with an expected deal around the $141 million that the rival Atlanta Falcons paid to Drake London.

Saints urged to extend Chris Olave to $141M-plus deal

"Extend wide receiver Chris Olave," Schatz writes. "... He was second-team All-Pro and probably deserves an extension similar to the one Atlanta just gave Drake London, who was drafted three picks ahead of Olave in 2022."

The Saints might've gotten some insurance by drafting Tyson in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft in the WR room in case Olave doesn't sign an extension.

But, if they get to the point where Olave is leaving soon because the two sides couldn't come to terms on a deal, it would be a disaster.

MORE: Bears need Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland to step up with DJ Moore traded

Olave is too integral to this team not to spend a lot of money on him. He proved it this past season, putting up 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns on 100 receptions in a career-year that earned him second-team All-Pro honors.

With a young QB in Shough, the Saints should really be investing in the infrastructure surrounding him, and an Olave extension would be a great way of doing so.

While a deal similar to that of London would be expensive at roughly four-years, $141 million, it's worth it for a star receiver like Olave, especially with a QB on a rookie deal.

More NFL news:

• Stefon Diggs linked to Rams, Chiefs, Commanders after Patriots release
• Harold Fannin Jr. will need to prove his worth in Todd Monken’s Browns offense
• Bengals fans should worry about second-year linebackers in 2026
• Seahawks’ Nick Emmanwori can be an All-Pro if he plays better in pass coverage
• ESPN analyst says if Cade Klubnik gets on the field for Jets it would mean something went wrong