Pittsburgh Steelers and A Potential Chris Olave Trade

Over the last week, several news outlets have reported that the Steelers’ General Manager Omar Khan has contacted the New Orleans Saints to determine if their star receiver Chris Olave may be available in a trade. In theory, both teams could benefit from such a move. 

Olave is entering his fourth NFL season and, when healthy, has proven to be a top receiver for the Saints. In 2024, he nabbed 1,100 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns as the team’s primary target. 

From the Steelers’ perspective, Olave’s skill set meshes well with their need for a reliable and explosive wide receiver to complement D.K. Metcalf, who was acquired earlier this offseason from the Seattle Seahawks for a 2025 second-rounder. The Steelers chose not to address the receiver position in April’s draft, leaving a void created by recently traded wideout George Pickens. Pickens was shipped off to the Dallas Cowboys in an exchange of picks, chief among them a third-rounder in the 2026 draft. This gives the Steelers three choices in next year’s third round—or plenty of disposable draft capital with which to acquire Olave. 

There was a sense around the team that although Pickens is wildly talented, he unfortunately created too many problems for them, both on and off the field. And since Pickens and Metcalf both play the X receiver position, the move made sense for the Steelers, who had signed Metcalf to a long-term deal earlier this Spring. That move left Pickens as the odd man out as he entered the final year of his rookie contract. 

Olave, however, plays the Z receiver position, a spot the Steelers need to fill. Metcalf offers size and physicality while Olave would bring speed and route-running precision, creating a more balanced receiving tandem. His ability to stretch the field would open up opportunities for other playmakers like slot receiver Calvin Austin and tight end Pat Freiermuth, helping to improve the overall offensive scheme. Lastly, Olave is dependable and would be a valued veteran presence regardless of which quarterback leads the offense. 

For the Saints and their new head coach, Kellen Moore, trading Olave would likely fetch a day-two pick from the Steelers in 2026, helping them as they continue their rebuild. Some reporters are suggesting a third-rounder may do it, and others are going as far as suggesting the Steelers ship Austin to the Saints to help fill the spot Olave would be exiting. 

The Saints have reportedly picked up Olave's fifth-year option, indicating their interest in retaining him, but as they undergo their own roster adjustments, they may be open to trade discussions. They are a team in transition with the retirement of starting quarterback Derek Carr and keeping Olave, who has had a history of concussion problems, may be less appealing than trading him for future draft capital, which Pittsburgh has plenty of. 

As the Steelers continue to address the receiver position, acquiring Chris Olave could be the right move to complete their reconstituted receiving corps. While the trade is far from finalized, the potential acquisition aligns with Pittsburgh's strategic goals of enhancing offensive capabilities and supporting their quarterback. Draft Nation will be closely monitoring developments in the coming weeks to see if this trade materializes.