The 2025 NFL season is quickly approaching, and every team is probably feeling good about their rosters at this point.
The New Orleans Saints, though, are one team that is hard to get excited about in 2025. Starting quarterback Derek Carr shockingly retired this offseason, likely forcing second-round rookie Tyler Shough to take over immediately.
Outside of the quarterback position, the rest of the roster isn’t exactly set either. However, one of the most promising pieces on the roster is standout wide receiver Chris Olave. Olave is a former top pick who has looked like one of the best receivers in the league at times.
With a down season likely incoming, would the Saints potentially lean into a rebuild finally and see what one of their best talents could fetch in a trade? Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report believes the New York Jets would be a logical landing spot for Olave if the Saints indeed decide to move the Ohio State product.
Davenport offered the following regarding the Jets and Olave:
However, the cold reality is that the Saints probably should blow things up and rebuild from the ground up. And at some point soon, the team is going to have to decide whether or not to hand a lucrative extension to a wide receiver who has an alarming history of suffering concussions in the NFL.
When healthy, Olave has shown he can be a dangerous pass-catcher—despite less-than-ideal quarterback play in the Big Easy, Olave has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in two of three professional seasons.
Were Olave to actually become available, David Latham of Last Word on Sports listed the New York Jets as a team that would be well-served to kick the tires on acquiring the former Ohio State star.
As Davenport mentioned, Olave and Justin Fields played together at Ohio State, so the duo likely have some chemistry already.
In 2024, Olave was only able to play in eight games due to multiple concussions. The receiver ended with 32 catches for 400 yards and one score.
However, in each of the previous two seasons, Olave eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark. As a rookie in 2022, Olave caught 72 passes for 1,042 yards and four touchdowns, and then in 2023, Olave caught 87 passes for 1,123 yards and five touchdowns.
When healthy, Olave can be a true difference-maker and a No. 1 option. In New York, the Jets already have a No. 1 option in Garrett Wilson, but not much else to speak of behind that. Wilson and Olave would immediately form one of the most exciting receiver duos in the league.
If the Saints do consider trading Olave, they will likely want a large return. A team like the Jets that doesn’t appear close to contending may be hesitant to make a move like this, but Olave is still young and could be another building block for the future.
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