New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave is no stranger to the spotlight. After a stellar rookie year, Olave’s follow-up season saw him grab 87 receptions for a whopping 1,123 yards and five touchdowns. Yet, despite these impressive numbers, Olave believes there’s still room for growth. His goal? To transition from a solid NFL player to a league elite.
Speaking on NFL Network, Olave shared his aspirations for the upcoming season, “Just going into this offseason knowing that (the Saints) believe in me as the Receiver 1, I’m excited to get to work. But I’m just trying to take that next step forward and try to go from a good player to an elite player.”
Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints Playoff Aspirations Rekindled
While Chris Olave has proven his worth on the field, the Saints as a team have faced struggles. Despite nearly matching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a 9-8 record last season, they missed out on a playoff spot due to a tiebreaker. This was a continuation of a frustrating trend, as the team failed to make the postseason in both of Olave’s first two years.
Reflecting on past disappointments, Olave remains optimistic about the future, asserting, “The standards are always high. The expectation is always high. The first two years, we didn’t live up to those, but as I said, the standard in the building, expectation in the building is always (to) make the playoffs and do some work in the playoffs.”
Chris Olave Leading New Orleans Saints’ Playoff Charge
The New Orleans Saints’ ability to strengthen their roster has been hampered by a challenging salary cap situation, limiting their movements in the offseason. However, the acquisition of edge rusher Chase Young could be a sign of positive changes. Despite these constraints, Olave’s focus is on what the team can control, emphasizing accountability and consistency in preparation for the critical months of the season.
“This year, we’re holding ourselves accountable every day and trying to stay consistent with that,” Olave stated. “It always starts around this time to be able to shine around December and January and February. I’m excited we’re putting the work in now.”
As the 2024 season approaches, the Saints are not only looking to overcome the Buccaneers but also to stay ahead of the rising Atlanta Falcons. The quest for the playoffs is steeped in both hope and determination, with Olave at the forefront of this push. His progression from a promising talent to an elite performer may just be the catalyst the Saints need to turn their playoff aspirations into reality.
Sources: NFL Analysis
