From the beginning of the season, it was going to be a long and unexciting year for the New Orleans Saints. Instead, the Saints turned around their season, and players throughout the roster finished with excellent seasons. There are pieces New Orleans can feel great about going into the offseason, and one player just received his first All-Pro selection in his career.
Saints Star Playmaker Is Recognized for His Excellent Performances
Entering the 2025 season, WR Chris Olave had an important year in front of him. Because his previous seasons have been marred by injuries, his contract is subject to discussions about an extension, which may occur soon, and to an entirely new coaching staff that may be more willing to move on from him. Olave always had the star potential, but this felt like the year it needed to be shown consistently, and it did.
Per PFSN’s WR Impact Metric, Olave finished the season with 156 targets (5th), 100 receptions (5th), 1163 receiving yards (7th), 9 receiving touchdowns (7th), and he played almost every game this season. The only one he missed was in Week 18, due to a blood clot in his lung that was caught early enough to avoid future complications.
This was an excellent year for Olave, and due to his success, the Associated Press Voters have named the star WR to Second-Team All-Pro.
Congratulations @chrisolave_ on being voted Associated Press second team All-Pro! pic.twitter.com/ENK3cB8jwa
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) January 10, 2026
Getting the first major honor in his career is a massive accomplishment for Olave, but it means a bit more with how last season ended. Olave was contemplating retirement due to concussions, the last one during the 2024 season in Week 9, when the Saints played the Carolina Panthers.
The hit that Olave took removed him from the rest of the season due to the concussion he sustained, and with his previous history of that same injury, it was to the point where retirement was a real option. In the end, Olave decided to return to football, bounced back, and had a career year.
Other Saints Players Who Received Votes
Although Olave was the only Saints player to make the All-Pro Teams, he was not the only one to receive votes. Alontae Taylor had one second-place vote for the slot CBs, Zach Wood had one second-place vote for the long snappers, and Demario Davis had three second-place votes for the LBs.
Out of the three Saints players listed, Demario Davis would be the most deserving of making one of the teams. At 36, the veteran recorded the most tackles of his career and remained a star on defense.
Just like in PFSN’s 2025 All-Pro Team, LBs like Jack Campbell, Ernest Jones IV, and Jordyn Brooks had more votes than Davis, but his impact for the Saints was nearly as good as those players.