After talks 'heat up' Chris Olave and the Saints agree on deal that mutually makes sense.

After Exhibit News Network told you first that talks with the Saints and WR Chris Olave were 'heating up,' ESPN's Adam Schefter reporting the ensuing agreement to a 4-year extension worth up to $132 million.

Now let me give you some additional context on the considerations that went into the time it took to get it done.

First of all my understanding is the deal on the table today was pretty much just waiting for Olave's comfort and approval.

As far as the time it took: One the the aspects that have to be grappled when assessing and agreeing on contract value in these times is what NFL players accomplished in a 16-game season vs a 17-game season.

For instance, how do you balance the increase in position money now, with higher production accomplished for less money in less games in the past.

Let's take a look at former #Saints WR Michael Thomas, just as a quick general example. Prior to the NFL switching to a 17-game season in 2021, Thomas averaged 1,262ry/G --(1137, 1245, 1405) --in his first 3 seasons before the Saints gave him a 5-year/$96.25M extension for an average of $19.25M a year entering the 2019 season.

Olave, who's coming of a career-year last season in receiving yards, averaged 932ry in his 1st 4 seasons with the team (in a 17-game schedule), prior to his 4-year deal today worth up to $132M--averaging $33million. If you do a deep dive into the deals at the top of the WR market, you can see why Olave had an argument to make between Cee Dee Lamb money ($34M) and Justin Jefferson money ($35M)--and perhaps why it took time for Olave to be okay with the value he thumbed up just moments ago.

However, when you look before this new NFL schedule era and the past context teams have, you can also understand the time it took Olave and New Orleans to agree to terms.

Of course, many other mitigating factors go into deals. T

Today is still Olave's day.