In the midst of a pivotal season, Chris Olave is stepping up to become the leader the New Orleans Saints need. After two years of playing alongside veteran Michael Thomas, Olave is now embracing the responsibility of being the team’s No. 1 receiver. At just 24 years old, he’s determined to prove himself as a reliable and durable force on the field.
Olave’s journey to this point hasn’t been easy. He spent his first two seasons learning from Thomas, who was limited by injuries and eventually released in March. Despite the challenges, Olave has worked tirelessly to improve his game, focusing on his strength, blocking, and route running.
The results are starting to show. In a Week 3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Olave made a stunning touchdown catch, showcasing his ability to make big plays. He’s also demonstrated his willingness to do the “dirty work,” blocking for his teammates and making key contributions to the Saints’ run game.
Quarterback Derek Carr has taken notice of Olave’s growth, saying, “He knows every ball is his. Every play that’s called, he should feel like, ‘I’m getting that thing.’” Olave’s confidence is evident in his play, and he’s become a trusted target for Carr.
As the Saints prepare to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night, Olave is ready to take on a bigger role. He’s worked hard to become a more well-rounded receiver, and his teammates are taking notice. Rookie receiver Bub Means has been impressed by Olave’s work ethic, saying, “He’s out there working hard, and that kind of showed me, look, the best in the business, still getting it done.”
With the Saints looking to end a two-game skid, Olave is poised to make a statement. He’s no longer just a talented young receiver; he’s a leader who’s ready to take his game to the next level. As he says, “I just want to be an every-down receiver… I feel like the first few years, I came out on run plays. Everybody knew it was going to be a run. So I just want to be in there. Even on the run plays, be relied on to be able to make blocks.”
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