There will be plenty of new pieces around the New Orleans Saints this season. A fresh coaching staff, younger roster aspects, and an expectation that a rebuild is beginning after veteran retirements have molded this offseason.

 

For Chris Olave, he is playing for a new contract this season. When healthy, he’s been really impressive in black and gold, but injuries, particularly concussions, have held him off the field too often. At full strength entering this season, we could see him in a new role for Kellen Moore.

Chris Olave could play a new role for Kellen Moore’s offense

The wide receiver took some reps out of the backfield for New Orleans’ offense on Thursday.

Olave has always been a smooth mover with the ball in his hands, but he has never been used in this capacity while with the Saints so far. Last year under OC Klint Kubiak, Rashid Shaheed saw limited action in the backfield with Alvin Kamara (and sometimes Taysom Hill) when healthy.

I would love to see more unique looks like this from the Saints. Alvin Kamara took a massive workload a season ago, and it is unfair to expect that from him again. More weapons out of the backfield, either in the run or pass game, are important for the Saints this season.

Olave discussed his contract situation this week amid the start of training camp. He isn’t focused on getting that done right now. Instead, he wants to prove that he is worth a new contract and can stay available for his teammates and coaches.

“I mean, of course I want to stay here a long time, get an extension going, but just coming off the season I had, just out for the year, I’m not really looking at it right now. I feel like l’ve got to prove myself to be able to get that type of money or get that type of deal, so like I said, I’m not worried about it. I know it’s going to come, but I’m just taking it day by day and try to be consistent every day to be able to stand out, to be able to make it easy on them to offer that type of deal. …” — Olave on a contract extension.

We will see how this season unfolds for the wideout. No matter what – he is ready to make a major impact for Kellen Moore’s team in any way possible this season and potentially beyond.