The direction for the New Orleans Saints was perhaps clear even before the season got underway. With no proven option at quarterback to begin the year, their focus quickly shifted to the 2026 NFL Draft, and a 1-7 record through eight weeks has been further evidence of the same.
So, when they faced a potential Super Bowl contender in the Los Angeles Rams, the biggest hope for the fan base had to be the first game for Tyler Shough as the starter. But a double-digit lead for the Rams in the first half was compounded by the disappointing outing it had been for Chris Olave.
What Happened to Chris Olave?
A proven name for the Saints over the years, Olave was having another strong start to the season through the first half of the year. Developing decent chemistry with Spencer Rattler, he was able to add 503 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
However, with Shough as his quarterback, that same success did not come by immediately. In the first half against Los Angeles, he had just a single catch on two targets, adding 27 yards to the total.
A first-round pick for New Orleans in 2022, he had lived up to his billing in near-perfect fashion. An excellent rookie season saw him total 1,042 receiving yards and four touchdowns, as he ranked 18th on PFSN’s WR Impact.
The next season, he was equally as effective, putting up 1,123 yards and five touchdowns while maintaining his ranking on WRi. The 2024 season, though, is where things went awry for the Ohio State product.
Suiting up in just eight games, he had 400 yards on the year before two concussions in the span of four weeks effectively ended his season. With no contract extension signed as of yet, this was going to be a major prove-it year for the wide receiver, or a trade near the deadline could very well be on the cards.
The second half of the game against the Rams turned out to be an extremely quiet affair. While they were able to add two more touchdowns to the tally, the Saints went scoreless in the period.
Olave, from a personal standpoint, two more catches to his total, bring his night to a close with three catches on four targets for 57 receiving yards, as the first game as the starting quarterback for Shough ended in a 34-10 demolition.