Chris Olave shares what he has worked on improving for 2023 season
Chris Olave was one of the most impressive rookies in the NFL last season, and he’s working hard to improve on his standout season.
Given that the New Orleans Saints figure to have a more consistent offense in 2023, Olave revealed some points of emphasis that he has been working on individually this offseason.
“I’m just trying to get stronger was one of the main points,” Olave said during Saturday’s NFL Live. “Gain a couple of pounds this offseason and ready to get to work this year. And playing through the catch is also another one, to answer your question.”
One year ago, the Ohio State product put up 72 receptions, 1,042 receiving yards and four touchdowns. He was named a finalist for the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year Award alongside fellow top rookies including New York Jets CB Sauce Gardner, Detroit Lions DL Aidan Hutchinson, Seattle Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker, New York Jets WR Garrett Wilson and Seattle Seahawks CB Tariq Woolen.
What’s even more impressive? Olave was able to surpass the coveted 1,000-yard receiving mark with a rotation cast at quarterback. The position was in flux all season, as the former rookie caught passes from Jameis Winston, Andy Dalton and Taysom Hill last season. That lack of continuity would hinder most players, but Olave is skillful enough to make it work.
That won’t be the case anymore, as the Saints have found their quarterback of the future in former longtime Las Vegas Raiders QB Derek Carr. He’s expected to turn around the decline in New Orleans since the retirement of Drew Brees in 2021. After four-straight playoff runs between 2017 and 2020, they haven’t made it past the regular season, or won 10 games in a season ever since.
Even more, with a healthy Michael Thomas — New Orleans has the potential to produce one of the most lethal one-two punches out wide in the NFL this season. Though, that could be wishful thinking as injuries have plagued the star wideout heading into his seventh pro season. Thomas has played 10 games in total since the end of his record-breaking 2019 season and his health is still in question heading into this year.
Olave said that even in Thomas’ absence on the field since arriving in New Orleans, learning beside one of the most acclaimed wideouts in the game today is invaluable to his growth, especially since he’s just getting started.