Saints GM Mickey Loomis Addresses Chris Olave Extension Talks
Earlier this spring, it was learned extension negotiations were underway between Chris Olave and the Saints. No deal has been struck yet, but team and player are looking to finalize an agreement.
When speaking about the status of contract talks, general manager Mickey Loomis said (via ESPN’s Katherine Terrell), “obviously we’d love to have something done sooner than later and I’m sure Chris would as well, but we’re not there yet.” It will be interesting to see if progress can be made in the near future.
Loomis added (via Terrell) Olave has frequently been around the team with talks going well so far. That certainly suggests an agreement will be in place prior to training camp this summer. As things stand, Olave is a pending 2027 free agent since he is set to play on his fifth-year option. The Ohio State product is due $15.49MM in 2026.
Any long-term pact will no doubt cost more. The top of the receiver market moved to $42.15MM when Jaxon Smith-Njigba inked his Seahawks extension. Olave will not be expected to reach that figure on a second Saints contract, but 15 wideouts currently average between $20MM and $30MM annually. A pact toward the more lucrative end of that range could be feasible for Olave, who is approaching his age-26 season.
New Orleans has relied heavily on the former No. 11 pick since his arrival. Olave has been targeted at least 119 times in three of his four NFL seasons. The lone exception was 2024, a campaign in which injuries limited him to eight games. Olave previously gave thought to retirement in the wake of his concussion history, but he managed to return to full health and reprise his role as a focal point on offense this past season. Even with first-round rookie Jordyn Tyson in the fold, Olave will be counted on to remain a 1,000-yard producer well into the future provided an extension gets worked out.
The Saints find themselves in much better financial shape than previous years with respect to contract flexibility. New Orleans is currently projected to have roughly $49MM in cap space in 2027, a figure which should make an Olave raise viable. If positive indications continue to emerge in this case, news of an agreement could be coming shortly.
5 Key Stories: 5/10/26 – 5/17/26
The slowest part of the NFL calendar is not far away. Spring practices are upcoming, though, and they will continue to provide a number of interesting updates around the league. In case you missed any of this week’s top stories, here is a quick recap:
- Steelers’ Rodgers Wait Ends: Year 2 of Aaron Rodgers‘ Steelers career will indeed take place. Another lengthy wait came to an end when news broke of a new contract agreement between team and player. Rodgers has lined up another one-year deal with Pittsburgh, and he is in position to participate in the team’s OTAs (which will begin tomorrow). The 42-year-old secured $22MM guaranteed, marking a notable raise from his 2025 contract. The Steelers originally aimed for clarity on the Rodgers front much earlier in the offseason, but even after the draft came and went without a firm commitment the expectation remained that an agreement would be reached. That has now proven to be true, and as Pittsburgh aims to once again break through with a playoff victory it will be Rodgers leading the way on offense.
- Achane Lands Dolphins Extension: Not long after Breece Hall inked an extension, fellow running back De’Von Achane did the same. The Dolphins authorized a four-year, $64MM deal in the latter’s case; the pact contains $32MM guaranteed. Miami has undergone a slew of roster turnover with a new regime in place, but first-year general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan was consistent in naming Achane as a candidate for a long-term commitment. The 24-year-old continued his ascent in terms of usage and production in 2025, earning a Pro Bowl nod along the way. Achane will be expected to remain a focal point of the Dolphins’ offense as the team’s rebuild goes through its early stages.
- Chargers Add Njoku: The post-draft stage of free agency saw David Njoku line up his next deal. The veteran tight end took a one-year contract with the Chargers shortly after a visit took place. Njoku can earn up to $8MM in 2026, the first season of his career which will be played with a team other than the Browns. Los Angeles saw several departures at the tight end spot earlier this spring, while no rookies were added via the draft. Njoku, 30 in July, will join fellow free agent signing Charlie Kolar as a new arrival on the Bolts’ offense. A healthy showing and one similar in production to his best Cleveland campaigns could set the former Pro Bowler up for a stronger market in 2027.
- Panthers’ Wharton Undergoes Neck Surgery: Multiple injuries hampered Tershawn Wharton during his debut season with the Panthers. The 2025 free agent signing is in position to miss time once more as he recovers from neck surgery. Wharton is now out indefinitely, although he is expected to return at some point in 2026. The Panthers could use the reserve/PUP list in this case to open the campaign while proceeding with a shorthanded defensive tackle group. Wharton inked a three-year, $45.05MM deal last spring, and missing him for an extended period would hinder a Carolina defense aiming to improve after a pair of other big-money additions to the front seven (Jaelan Phillips, Devin Lloyd) were made in March.
- Steelers, Boswell Agree To Extension: The Steelers made waves by agreeing to the new Rodgers deal, of course. The team also took care of another important piece of business by extending kicker Chris Boswell, though. Pittsburgh’s longtime specialist worked out another four-year deal, keeping him on the books through 2030. This latest Boswell pact is worth $7MM per year, a figure which matches Brandon Aubrey for the highest annual compensation among kickers. The position’s market has jumped on more than one occasion in 2026, and Boswell’s track record made him a logical candidate to benefit from it. Instead of entering the coming season as a pending free agent, the 35-year-old has plenty of security over the foreseeable future.
Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving Expected To Be Full Training Camp Participant
Foot and shoulder injuries resulted in Bucky Irving making just 10 appearances in 2025. A return to full health in time for the summer is anticipated, though.
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said (via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times) Irving will be a limited participant in upcoming OTAs. Nevertheless, Irving is expected to fully take part in training camp. His recovery from shoulder surgery is progressing well, and a large offensive workload for 2026 is likely.
Tampa Bay’s backfield changed during free agency. Rachaad White expectedly departed on the open market, while Kenneth Gainwell was added. The latter thrived during a one-and-done Steelers stint, and he will be expected to be a regular presence on offense with the Buccaneers. Sean Tucker is once again in place as a short-yardage specialist. As such, a committee approach is being planned by the team.
“Obviously, we’re missing [Irving] right now, but once he gets out there, I think it’s going to be great to see him and Kenny go hand in hand,” new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said. “Shoot, one guy might get this amount the next week. They might end up balanced, feeling the hot hand, and we’ll see where it goes.”
Irving quickly emerged as a focal point during his rookie season, racking up 254 touches in 2024. His usage in the passing game was similar last season, but the former fourth-rounder averaged over 17 carries per contest when on the field (compared to 12 the previous year). It will be interesting to see how much Irving is used during his age-24 campaign. Gainwell comfortably set new career highs in attempts (114) and receptions (73) with Pittsburgh in 2025.
The 27-year-old’s success while handling that workload resulted in a spike with respect to compensation. Gainwell landed a two-year, $14MM deal on the open market after playing for $1.79MM as a Steeler. He will be expected to handle a notable workload on offense, although his skillset overlaps in large part with Irving’s. The division of reps through the summer once all three members of the Irving-Gainwell-Tucker trio are healthy will be worth monitoring.
NFL’s TE Market Expected To Rise
A select number of positions have seen their respective markets surge over recent years in the NFL. The tight end spot is nowhere near as lucrative as certain others, but a spike could soon be coming.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler writes a number of notable tight end deals can be expected in the near future. This offseason has seen indications that could be the case, and a few extension cases will be worth watching closely. Fowler unsurprisingly names the Lions’ Sam LaPorta and the Packers’ Tucker Kraft as candidates for a lucrative second contract as early as this year.
Both players are pending 2027 free agents. LaPorta quickly emerged as a focal point in Detroit’s passing game, earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors as a rookie. The former second-rounder saw a reduction in production the following season and was limited to just nine games in 2025, though. Still, any LaPorta extension would bring about a considerable raise relative to the $2.04MM in cash he is due for the coming campaign.
Detroit’s financial outlook is of course complex when it comes to members of the 2022 draft class. LaPorta, but also first-rounders Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell as well as second-rounder Brian Branch, is in line for a new pact. Keeping all four members of that group while affording the big-money deals already on the books will be challenging for the Lions. Authorizing an extension would allow the team to keep one of the league’s top young tight ends in the fold but it would also likely lessen the chances of retaining Campbell and Branch in particular.
Kraft, like LaPorta, is 25. The South Dakota State product saw his offensive role increase across his first two years in Green Bay. Kraft then enjoyed a stellar start to the 2025 campaign, averaging over 61 yards per game and scoring six touchdowns in eight contests. An ACL tear ended his season, however. Kraft is on course to collect $1.51MM in 2025, but a long-term deal would be worth far more.
The Packers have had a young – and cost-effective – pass-catching group for the last few years in particular. That still includes a number of receivers on rookie deals (although investments have been made in Jayden Reed and Christian Watson) as well as tight end Luke Musgrave on his initial NFL pact. Green Bay could pursue an extension in Kraft’s case before he returns to action knowing a team-friendly figure could be easier to arrive at.
The tight end market currently consists of 13 multiyear contracts averaging between $10MM and $19.1MM annually. Kyle Pitts‘ franchise tag, meanwhile, checks in at just over $15MM. Last offseason, Trey McBride and the Cardinals agreed to a four-year, $76MM deal. Continued spikes in the salary cap should help the likes of LaPorta and Kraft secure similar (if not larger) deals, while Brock Bowers will position himself for a big-money extension as early as 2027 if his Raiders production continues next season.
As Fowler notes, an increased emphasis on using multiple tight ends has emerged around the league. Free agency saw Charlie Kolar, for instance, land $8.1MM in average annual value and $17MM guaranteed after he totaled just 30 catches in four Ravens seasons. Last month’s draft demonstrated how blocking tight ends were seen as highly valuable during the middle rounds. Provided that trend continues, depth contributors at the TE spot will continue to see raises while the top of the market reaches new heights.
Chiefs Could Make WR Addition?
As spring practices take place around the league, teams will evaluate their rosters before pursuing free agent moves. The Chiefs could find themselves aiming for veteran reinforcements with respect to at least one position, though.
During an appearance on SportsCenter (h/t Bleacher Report), ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler named the Chiefs as candidate to bring in a receiver via free agency. Plenty of experienced wideouts are still on the market deep into the offseason, something which will no doubt remain the case through to training camp. The receiver position has been a talking point throughout the spring for Kansas City.
Efficiency in the passing game was a 2025 issue before and after Patrick Mahomes‘ ACL tear, while Marquise Brown departed in free agency. In spite of that, no veteran additions were made by general manager Brett Veach during the early stages of the offseason. Kansas City then waited until the fifth round of the draft to select a wideout (Cyrus Allen). He will look to carve out a role this summer alongside the likes of Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Tyquan Thornton.
Stefon Diggs, DeAndre Hopkins, Keenan Allen and Tyreek Hill are unsigned at this time. Hill spent his first six seasons in Kansas City, and Chiefs head coach Andy Reid did not rule out a reunion earlier this spring. Nevertheless, a tepid market currently exists for Hill, whose Dolphins tenure ended with an expected release. The 32-year-old is recovering from a major knee injury which ended his 2025 campaign. Hopkins was briefly with the Chiefs after arriving via trade in 2024, and he too would be a familiar option to consider.
Kansas City currently has less cap space than every NFL team but the Dolphins. With roughly $6MM in available funds, a big-ticket addition will not be feasible at the WR position or any other. Of course, a signing for any veteran still on the market at this point will come on a one-year deal which is low on guaranteed money. The Chiefs’ OTAs will take place in late May with minicamp soon to follow. Depending on how those practices unfold, the possibility of additional pass catching help being sought out will be something to monitor.
Chargers’ Chad Alexander Withdraws From Vikings’ GM Search
Chad Alexander was among the staffers who recently received an interview request from the Vikings in the early stages of their general manager search. A departure from the Chargers will not be taking place, however.
Alexander has declined the interview request and withdrawn his name from consideration, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports. As a result, Los Angeles’ assistant general manager will be remaining in place moving forward. Alexander has been a member of the Bolts’ front office since 2024, the year in which Joe Hortiz was hired as GM.
Hortiz and Alexander worked together in Baltimore, and they reunited in Los Angeles shortly after Hortiz was tapped to lead the Chargers. Alexander has been an NFL staffer since 1999, and he worked as a member of the Ravens’ front office until 2018. Over that span, he served as a scout but also a member of the team’s pro personnel department.
Alexander was with the Jets from 2019-23. He operated as New York’s director of player personnel during that time. Upon arrival with the Chargers, he took on his current AGM title. Alexander will now remain in that role for at least one more season, although it will of course be interesting to see if he receives further general manager interview requests during the 2027 hiring cycle.
The Vikings promoted Rob Brzezinski to the role of interim GM in the wake of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah‘s firing. He led Minnesota’s front office through free agency and the draft before the team’s outside search for a full-time general manager began. Brzezinski is interested in the GM gig, but interviews with other candidates will take place before a final decision is made.
Today’s news takes Alexander out of the running and thins the list of candidates – which was believed to be finalized – for the Vikings to choose from. John McKay (Rams), R.J. Gillen (49ers), Nolan Teasley (Seahawks) and Terrance Gray (Bills) are still in the running at this time.
49ers DE Mykel Williams Expected Back For Training Camp; Week 1 Status Unclear
The 49ers dealt with a number of major injuries over the course of the 2025 campaign. One of those was the ACL tear suffered by Mykel Williams, and his ability to start next season remains in question.
Williams’ rookie campaign ended in Week 9 when his ACL was torn. The No. 11 pick in last year’s draft had operated as a full-time starter up to that point, and a large workload can be expected once he is back on the field. 49ers GM John Lynch previously said a return at some point during training camp is likely in this case, and that still holds true.
As noted by The Athletic’s Matt Barrows, Williams remains on course to participate in at least a portion of training camp this summer. However, it is unclear at this time if the Georgia product will be able to play in Week 1. It would come as no surprise if Williams were to begin camp on the active/PUP list, something which could lead to a reserve/PUP designation during roster cuts. The latter would ensure at least a four-game absence to start the regular season.
Williams, 22 in June, was working out separate to the rest of the team during rookie minicamp, per Barrows. He adds clearance for full team drills should not be expected any time soon. The progress Williams makes over the coming months will be worth monitoring closely given his importance to San Francisco’s defense and also the fact fellow defensive end Nick Bosa is recovering from an ACL tear of his own. Bosa’s recovery timeline is further ahead, but a return to action in both cases will be critical to the 49ers’ 2026 outlook.
2025 trade acquisition Keion White, third-year 49er Sam Okuayinonu and free agent signing Cameron Sample are among the candidates to take on an increased workload early in the season provided Williams is unable to play right away in the fall. That is also true of rookie Romello Height, taken in the third round of April’s draft. In any event, development in Williams’ case after he managed just one sack and four quarterback pressures as a rookie will be key.
The 49ers currently lead the league with nearly $70MM in cap space, so a low-cost free agent signing could receive consideration if Williams and/or Bosa suffer setbacks in their rehabs. For now, though, those two are on course to operate as starters upon returning to action.
WR Nico Collins Aims To Continue Texans Career
Shortly before last month’s draft, Nico Collins was the subject of trade calls. To no surprise, Texans general manager Nick Caserio insisted the team’s No. 1 receiver will not be on the move.
A desire on the part of the team to keep Collins in the fold clearly exists, and that sentiment is mutual. The two-time Pro Bowler has spent each of his first five NFL seasons in Houston. If he has his way, Collins’ Texans run will continue well beyond 2026.
“I love the Texans,” the 27-year-old said (via Aaron Wilson of KPRC2). “I got drafted here. It’s somewhere I want to end. I love the city, the people, the community. There’s a lot of great positive vibes coming out of the city of Houston. So, it’s definitely a place I would like to retire.”
Collins flashed potential but delivered modest production over the course of his first two NFL campaigns. The arrival of quarterback C.J. Stroud offered a considerable boost, though, and the two have formed a strong connection during their time together. Collins has topped 1,000 yards in each of the past three seasons, totaling 21 touchdowns over that span. He inked an extension averaging $24.25MM per year in 2024.
The receiver market has continued to surge since then, and Collins has fallen down the pecking order in terms of WR compensation recently. Two years remain on the Michigan product’s deal, and he is owed $20MM in guaranteed salary for 2026. Collins is due $21.25MM in base pay for 2027, but that figure is not guaranteed. As Wilson notes, an extension being worked out prior to the start of next offseason would thus come as no surprise.
Houston’s defense will have a number of high-priced contracts on the defensive side of the ball to account for over the coming years. On offense, Stroud’s next deal (should one be finalized) will bring about a considerable raise, but it may not be in place this offseason. The receiver position is a highly affordable one for the Texans aside from Collins’ contract. That is likely to remain the case with several wideouts playing on their rookie deals.
Another standout showing in terms of production would of course help Collins’ case for a raise on his next pact. If the goal for team and player winds up being met whenever an extension is worked out, he will be in line to remain a focal point on offense for the Texans not only in 2026 but into the future as well.
Egon Durban’s Raiders Stake To Increase
Earlier this spring, the NFL’s owners voted on an ownership succession plan for the Raiders. Mark Davis is still the franchise’s controlling owner, but the share held by Egon Durban is set to increase.
Bloomberg reports the Durban-fronted group which already had a small stake in the Raiders is set to purchase an additional 25% of the franchise. Once the deal is finalized, the collection of owners led by the Silver Lake co-CEO will own a 40% stake. Durban alone will not be responsible for that amount, but this news points further toward him eventually taking on the role of controlling owner.
For now, that title still belongs to Davis. As a legacy owner, Al Davis‘ son is only required to hold a 20% stake to maintain his controlling interest. Even after the Durban purchase formally takes place, Davis will still control roughly 30% of the franchise. The NFL’s finance committee has already given the green light for the deal, which owners are set to vote on next week.
Davis has indicated the changes with respect to ownership stakes will not alter how the Raiders operate. The 70-year-old has held a controlling stake since Al’s passing in 2011. That is set to continue for the foreseeable future, but a firm succession plan has been instituted for whenever an ownership change takes place.
Durban and Discovery Land Co. founder Michael Meldman each bought a 7.5% stake in the Raiders late in 2024. Their respective roles in the franchise may not undergo a significant change once this latest purchase goes through, but the potential for larger influence down the road will increase.
NFL Mailbag: Jackson, Ravens, Cowboys, Falcons, 49ers, WRs
This week's edition of the PFR mailbag addresses questions about the Ravens' and Falcons' quarterback outlooks. The Cowboys' chances of contending in 2026 are also covered, along with the receiver setup now in place for the 49ers.
George asks:
Do you think the Lamar [Jackson] extension gets done this offseason? If so, where do you see the QB market settling once he passes Dak [Prescott]?
It is really hard to guess about pretty much anything when it comes to Jackson. He kept an extremely small circle during negotiations last time around, and that has remained the case through to the present.
