New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave has been sitting out of team drills to start training camp because he wants a new contract, head coach Kellen Moore told reporters Wednesday, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune's Luke Johnson.
"It's just respecting the business side of this thing," Moore said. "They're just working through that as we go. Everyone's been great about this whole process, so no issues there."
Olave's rookie deal expires at the end of the season, which would make him an unrestricted free agent in 2027. He's currently set to play the upcoming campaign on the fifth-year option that will pay him $15.4 million, according to Spotrac.
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said Tuesday that the organization wants to get a new contract completed soon, and the two sides are in active negotiations.
"We want to get it done," Loomis said. "Chris and his agents, Jason and Drew Rosenhaus, I know they want to get it done. We all do, but it's got to be right for both parties."
The GM added, "We're having a lot of discussions ... We're just not there yet. We're hopeful."
Olave is coming off the best year of his career, having recorded career highs in targets (156), receptions (100), receiving yards (1,163), and touchdowns (nine). He earned second-team All-Pro honors, and his 1,163 receiving yards ranked eighth in the league.
However, Olave missed the final game of the season after a blood clot was found in one of his lungs. He also has a history of concussions that forced him to miss nine games during the 2024 campaign. Loomis said the player's injury history is a "variable" in the negotiations, but the Saints still want to extend Olave.
The former first-round pick has been medically cleared of the blood clot and is healthy for the upcoming season. Olave has 291 catches for 3,728 yards and 19 touchdowns in 55 career games.
