New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave admitted he contemplated retiring from football last season after a scary stretch of concussions in 2024, a stunning confession he made Sunday after a big win over the New York Jets, as reported by ESPN.
The admission instantly changes the lens on Olave’s 2025 breakout, not just as a “bounce-back” year, but as a season that almost didn’t happen.
Key details:
- Olave said he was “contemplating retirement” at 24 after head injuries last season.
- ESPN reported he suffered the fourth known concussion of his NFL career in 2024 and missed the final eight games after a hit vs. the Panthers.
- He starred in the Saints’ 29-6 win over the Jets with 10 catches for 148 yards and two TDs.
- Next up: at Titans — Sunday, December 28 (1:00 p.m. EST), CBS.
Chris Olave Reveals He Nearly Walked Away After Concussion Scare
Olave’s quote landed like a gut punch, because it wasn’t vague. He laid out the reality of being young, talented, and suddenly forced to think about life after football.
“I was only 24 years old, contemplating retirement, especially with the head injuries,” Olave said, explaining he leaned on faith and his family before deciding to “give it another try.”
According to ESPN, Olave missed the final eight games of the 2024 season after he was transported out on a backboard following a hit to the head against Carolina that put him in concussion protocol for the second time in three weeks. ESPN also noted it was the fourth known concussion of his NFL career.
Why This Matters for the Saints Right Now
For New Orleans, the pressure isn’t just “can Olave produce?” It’s can the Saints protect their No. 1 receiver and keep him available?
Olave’s disclosure comes at a time when the Saints’ offense is finally showing signs of life, and he’s been at the center of it. In Sunday’s win over the Jets, Olave caught two touchdowns from two different quarterbacks, with rookie Tyler Shough and Taysom Hill both finding him in the end zone.
It also adds weight to the idea that any future injury update involving Olave won’t be treated like a normal weekly listing. When a player publicly acknowledges he was close to walking away, every concussion-related development becomes bigger, for the team, for the locker room, and for his long-term outlook.
Olave’s comments also underline how quickly a season — or a career — can shift for a skill player whose game depends on speed and fearlessness over the middle. The Saints can celebrate the production, but they also have to manage the reality that Olave has already stared down the “is it worth it?” question once. That tends to change everything.
Stats, Schedule, and What Happens Next
Olave didn’t just return; he’s thriving. He has 1,044 receiving yards through 15 games this season, and Sunday’s performance was the highlight.
The Saints’ next game provides immediate context: New Orleans heads to Nashville to face the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, December 28 at 1 p.m. EST on CBS, giving Olave (and the Saints) another chance to keep momentum rolling.
One more layer: ESPN noted there have been continuing conversations about a contract extension, and despite his past thoughts of retirement, Olave indicated he wants to be in New Orleans long-term.
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